Support for Rohingya refugees living in world’s largest refugee camp in Bangladesh

Today, we are sharing for the first time the story of an investment we made last year.

Nearly one million Rohingya refugees have been forced from Myanmar to Bangladesh, escaping decades-long disenfranchisement, persecution, and violence so heinous that the U.S. and other countries have formally recognized the Rakhine state’s actions against Rohingya Muslims as genocide.

Forcefully displaced from their homes, hundreds of thousands of families now live in Cox’s Bazar in bamboo-walled, tarped-roof shelters that make up the world’s largest refugee camp.

Together, we invested in these families and children last year through a $250,000 grant to BRAC, the longest-standing and largest organization providing comprehensive support for Rohingya refugees. Founded in Bangladesh, BRAC has been deeply embedded there for four decades.

BRAC works with the Rohingya community, listening to them every step of the way.

Through their Humanitarian Play Labs, BRAC has created a place where children can be kids again after surviving the horrific trauma of forced displacement. More than 100,000 children up to age fourteen play, learn about Rohingya history and culture, and enjoy being in community with each other. In addition to being a safe space, the labs also serve as hubs for holistic support, including access to healthcare, nutrition, psychological support, and more.

BRAC has also pivoted to help families living in Cox’s Bazar survive the pandemic. They have worked hand-in-hand with the community to build a 150-bed severe acute respiratory infection center where COVID patients can quarantine and receive oxygen. They have also disseminated vital information about COVID transmission via radios and volunteers, installed temperature checks and hand washing stations, delivered chlorine buckets and aqua tablets for water purification, and distributed rice, high energy biscuits, soap, hygiene products, and menstrual kits. With BRAC’s support, women in the community stitched and circulated more than 470,000 masks.

To our always-showing-up community, thank you for investing in these families and children through Together Rising and our partnership with BRAC.