Aurora Prize laureate Aung to donate $1mn prize-money to Rohingyas
An activist who has spent 40 years fighting for Rohingya rights in Myanmar will donate $1mn, which he received as prize money for his work, to provide medical assistance to around 375,000 Rohingya refugees staying across South East Asia. Aurora Prize laureate Kyaw Hla Aung, also a noted lawyer, announced he would donate his $1mn award money towards humanitarian relief work for Rohingya refugees.
700,000+ Rohingyas fled their country over communal crisis
More than 700,000 Rohingya Muslims have fled Myanmar's violence-hit Rakhine state to neighboring Bangladesh since August last year when the military intensified the crackdown against alleged militant outfits of Rohingya Muslims. Some have also fled to Malaysia.
Here are details how the award money will be used
Aung was given the award this year for his fight against injustice and advocating on behalf of the Rohingya people. The activist's award money will be distributed among three international organizations, Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF), the International Catholic Migration Commission (ICMC), and MERCY Malaysia, providing medical aid and assistance to Rohingya refugees across South East Asia, the Aurora Humanitarian Initiative (AHI) has announced.
Initiative to benefit around 375,000 Rohingya refugees
MSF UK will receive $400,000, while MERCY Malaysia and the ICMC, $300,000 each. This initiative will benefit around 375,000 Rohingya refugees. The AHI, founded on behalf of the Armenian Genocide survivors, seeks to help those in urgent need of basic humanitarian aid. MSF is directing the funds to further advance the emergency response in the Balukhali Makeshift Settlements in Bangladesh, the AHI said.
MSF has hugely increased its operations in Cox's Bazar
MSF estimates that it will benefit approximately 250,000 Rohingya refugees, the AHI said. MSF has hugely increased its operations in response to the unfolding of the humanitarian crisis in Bangladesh's Cox's Bazar where several Rohingyas, who fled their homes in Myanmar's Rakhine state, are living.
MSF Executive Director gives insight of relief operations
"Our team of more than 2,000 staff is running 10 health posts, four primary health centers (open around the clock), and five inpatient health facilities (providing 24-hour secondary healthcare)," MSF Executive Director, Vickie Hawkins, said. "This potential support comes at a crucial time, especially as the Monsoon season approaches and with it the likelihood of devastating flooding and landslides in the camps," he added.
ICMC to improve damaged relief camp settlements in Bangladesh
The ICMC is allocating its share to two initiatives directed at empowering Rohingyas in Klang Valley and Kuala Lumpur in Malaysia. It also aims at improving damaged infrastructure at the Kutupalong Camp settlement in Bangladesh. It estimates that over 20,000 people will benefit from this.
MERCY Malaysia to provide primary and secondary healthcare
MERCY Malaysia will use its share of the funds to provide primary and maternal health care and operational support to Rohingyas by collaborating with the Rakhine State Health Department in the Sittwe IDP camps and Kyauktan village in Yangon region in Myanmar. MERCY Malaysia estimates that over 100,000 communal crisis hit Rohingya people will benefit from this initiative.
