Cologne/Cox’s Bazar. On Sunday afternoon a fire broke out in Bangladesh in the world’s largest refugee camp, near the city of Cox’ Bazar. Around 2,000 shelters have been destroyed and nearly 12,000 people lost their home. “People are in complete shock, and many are injured. They require urgent medical and psychological care. Ninety facilities, including many primary health care units, were destroyed” says Cordula Wasser, head of Malteser International’s Asia department. “We have now increased our staff to care for more patients. We are also deploying additional mobile Teams for first aid and psychologists for mental health support. Fortunately, the health facility that is operated by our local partner organization in the affected camp area has been spared.”
The largest refugee camp on earth, near the Bangladeshi city of Cox's Bazar, is currently home to around 900,000 people. Malteser International, with the support of local partners, has been providing assistance primarily in the health sector since the refugee crisis began in 2017. In addition to operating three health facilities, volunteers are trained to support health workers in the communities. In addition, the refugees are receiving psychological care. The project is supported by the German Federal Foreign Office.
Malteser International (MI) works as an international humanitarian aid organization. It is an aid organization of the Catholic Order of Malta and particularly fulfills the order's mission of "helping those in need". The mission is to improve the health and living conditions of suffering and displaced people worldwide. The organization provides aid to people in need in over 140 projects in 35 countries, regardless of religion, political conviction, origin or gender. Christian values and the humanitarian principles of humanity, neutrality, impartiality and independence form the basis of its work. Further information: www.malteser-international.org
Attention editors
Cordula Wasser, head of Malteser International’s Asia Department is available for Interviews and sound bites.
Operator: +49 (0)221 98227 181, katharina.kiecol(at)malteser-international.org
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Key word: “Bangladesh”
