The summer of 2021 marks the fourth anniversary of a deadly crackdown by Myanmar’s army on Rohingya Muslims. This crackdown led hundreds of thousands to flee across the border to Bangladesh.
Meet Jahura
72-year-old Jahura is one of the approximately 1 million Rohingya refugees living in the vast camps in the Cox’s Bazar region of Bangladesh. She fled Myanmar in 2017, arriving in Bangladesh empty-handed and in fragile health.
A widow for over 30 years, Jahura lives with her son. Income-generated activities are prohibited in the camp, meaning that their livelihood is entirely dependent on humanitarian aid – a situation that leaves the family feeling vulnerable. This is only compounded by chronic illnesses that Jahura suffers with, and for which she has to take regular medication. Like many other refugees, Jahura has had very limited access to medical services.
However, United Purpose’s health post has been a lifeline. Since 2018, Jahura has attended the post regularly for treatment and check-ups. The Medical Officers provide her with the treatment and support she desperately needs, and this has made a huge difference to her life. “The health service post has helped me a lot, as well as others in my community,” Jahura says.
Meet Sufia
Like Jahura, 13-year-old Sufia's family also fled to Bangladesh in 2017. She lives in the refugee camp with her parents, two brothers and three sisters.
Accessing healthcare has been a real challenge for many Rohingya families – a need that UP’s health post is helping to address. When Sufia developed a high fever a few years ago, her parents took her to our post, where the Medical Officer was able to assess her and give her a much-needed prescription.
Since then, Sufia and her family have come to the health post whenever they need medical help. Access to this vital health service has been a real game-changer.
“The health post is very helpful for me,” says Sufia. “I don’t feel any hesitation to talk to the doctors who are working here and they make me feel comfortable.”
Context:
United Purpose is working to improve access to healthcare for Rohingya refugees through its humanitarian response project in the Rohingya refugee camps, with financial support from Penny Appeal. The project operates two health posts and provides health services with medical support in two of the camps. On average, the health posts provide services to 50-60 patients each day.