Myanmar: Aid for the displaced in Rakhine State

Emergency assessment team currently in the crisis area

According to the World Food Programme, more than 90,000 people have been displaced by the ethnic violence in Rakhine State. Photo: Reuters/Andrew Biraj

Cologne. Responding to the ongoing ethnic violence in Rakhine State in which more than 90,000 people have been displaced, Malteser International, the Order of Malta’s relief agency for humanitarian aid, will provide up to 2,000 displaced families with life-saving household items and medical support. An emergency assessment team is visiting the affected region today.

Malteser International teams will distribute hygiene kits as well as non-food items, including pans and cooking utensils, clothes, blankets and mosquito nets, to families who have sought refuge in the region’s IDP (Internally Displaced Persons) camps. Also planned are mobile medical teams and psycho-social support for the victims. 

“The absolute ethnic and political neutrality of the relief measures is our highest priority”, says Roland Hansen, head of the Asia department at Malteser International. “We will treat all sides of the conflict equally”. The relief efforts will be conducted in close coordination with the United Nations in order to guarantee impartiality. 

The relief measures will be carried out with financial support from Germany’s Federal Foreign Office. According to the latest news reports, more than 80 people have died as a result of clashes in between the Buddhist and Muslim populations in Rakhine State over the past month. 

Malteser International has been active in Myanmar since 2001, and has implemented projects in Rakhine State since 2003. More than 200 local staff members are active in the crisis area.

Attention editors: Roland Hansen, head of the Asia department at Malteser International, is available for interviews. Contact through Malteser International’s headquarters at +49 (0) 221 98 22-169.

Please support Malteser International’s relief efforts in Myanmar – donate now!

Reference: “Myanmar”

Malteser International is the worldwide relief agency of the Sovereign Order of Malta for humanitarian aid. The organisation provides aid in about 100 projects in more than 20 countries without distinction of religion, race or political persuasion. Christian values and the humanitarian principles of impartiality and independence are the foundation of its work. For further information: www.malteser-international.org and www.orderofmalta.int