Ramadan: Helping Rohingya families in Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh

After violence erupted in Myanmar in 2017, around 745,000 Rohingya men, women and children fled to neighbouring Bangladesh.

Living in refugee camps in Cox’s Bazar, they’re struggling to cope with daily life on little to no income.

And that’s why your support is so crucial for people like Sufia.

At 59 years old, she’s living in a refugee camp in Cox’s Bazar with her two grandchildren after fleeing Myanmar for their lives.

Meet Sufia: Caring for her grandchildren

Alhamdulillah Sufia and her grandchildren are safe in Bangladesh.

However, living in a refugee camp also brings its own struggles:

From the very beginning, I faced difficulties in getting food and other lifesaving items. I was put in (a) camp … and now I get 30 kg rice, lentil and oil as a monthly ration from the United Nation’s World Food Programme.

This meets our basic needs However, we need additional items for Ramadan and Eid. (Sufia)

Since their arrival in the camp, the family has struggled to find enough food to eat.

They live in a small room and share the toilet and water facility with other Rohingya families in the camp. They lack basic privacy and the health services in the camp are minimal.

Of course, during Ramadan, the family were also worried about how they would break their fast:

We try to make regular meals (iftar and suhoor) during Ramadan but we need additional support for iftar, suhoor and Eid.

… We are really worried about the pandemic. There is no way to earn more money to help us buy more food to support ourselves. … We need additional support for the holy month of Ramadan… We have changed our food habits and started to eat less….

During Ramadan, we can’t eat like we used to in Myanmar. We cannot afford to buy… [the items we want] from the local market.”

Alhamdulillah, thanks to your support, Sufi and her family were able to enjoy a Ramadan food pack this year and no longer worry about food:

This Ramadan food package is helping us to fulfil our needs. We are very happy to receive these items.

Alhamdulillah, we have received a good package for Ramadan and we will be able to manage the whole month with these items. We do not need to worry about managing food and can concentrate more on prayers.

My community and I are happy to receive these food packs. They are a great help for us.

Each Ramadan pack contained essential items such as rice, oil, lentils, peas, sugar, dates, pasta and meat, enabling Sufia and her family to enjoy the holy month.

Islamic Relief: A global Ramadan campaign

Thank you for your continued support, helping Sufia and thousands more people like her.

During Ramadan 2021 in fact, your generous donations enabled us to provide food support to over one million people in over 30 countries across the globe.

Your support, as always, offered a crucial lifeline.

Thank you. You truly are life-savers.