Sandra Damota, a Canadian psychosocial worker currently in Bangladesh, shares some of her experiences working as a member of an international Red Cross team helping thousands living in camps in Bangladesh after fleeing their homes due to violence in Myanmar.
"That [photo] was actually a really powerful moment as we prepared to support the Canadian mobile health team with the arrival of about 2,500 refugees into the transit camp from the border."
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Imagine having to escape violence in your home country. You pick up what you can, but you need to leave right now, what would you take? There are thousands of others doing the same. The violence may be right at your door, you may become separated from family and friends in the chaos. Now you need to travel to another country and find shelter there. Since October 2016, this has been the reality for hundreds of thousands of people who have fled violence in Rakhine State, Myanmar into Bangladesh.
A child’s terrible drawing of violence in Myanmar. People in crowded Bangladesh camps gently welcoming those who want to help them. Eager volunteers from the Bangladesh Red Crescent Society also pitching in with much-needed assistance. Just days after arriving, these are a few early impressions from members of the Canadian Red Cross mobile medical team and their Mexican Red Cross colleagues.
For Dr. Salim Sohani, a 35-year career in medicine, global health, and health promotion is not a job, but a passion. “It’s fulfilling and satisfying because it gives me the opportunity to make a difference and put a smile on the face of people,” says Dr. Sohani, a medical doctor who joined the Canadian Red Cross in 2008 after years of humanitarian work in Africa.
Earlier this month, Canadian Red Cross Vice President of International Operations, Hossam Elsharkawi travelled to Cuba after Hurricane Irma ravaged the country. Here he shares some of the experiences he had alongside his colleagues, Lai-Ling lee, Head of Americas Region and David Campfens, Regional Representative for the Americas.
As thousands continue to flee violence in Myanmar, children who are unaccompanied or who have been separated from their parents and guardians rely on the protection of others - here is how the Red Cross and Red Crescent is helping.
The first full day of the Red Cross Red Crescent field hospital in Bangladesh saved the life of 8-month-old Mohammed Haris.
Each year in Bangladesh, the water levels rise and fall with the changes in the seasons. Bengalis are used to floods, but this year was different. For many, the flood waters came with little notice, rose much higher than usual and stayed longer.