Former prime minister of Denmark and Chief Executive of Save the Children, Helle Thorning Schmidt has expressed fear that a whole generation of Rohingyas could be lost, due to lack of general education.
She said 18 months ago she went to Cox's Bazar when thousands of Rohingyas were entering Bangladesh every day. She spoke to Rohingya refugee children who were forced to run for their lives in Myanmar and sought sanctuary in Bangladesh, a press release issued on Wednesday read.
"All efforts have been made to meet their basic needs, yet many children are to receive general education after one and a half year of exodus. I am worried that a whole generation of Rohingyas will be lost if the absence of children in the education system is continued." Schmidt said.
Schmidt further praised the Bangladesh government and its people for showing generosity to nearly one million Rohingya refugees living in Cox’s Bazar, more than half of whom are women and children.
She said: “Bangladeshi people have shown immense compassion and risen to the challenge of hosting the world’s largest refugee camp.
“International-national, all the non-government organizations are doing their utmost for the refugees, but as the number of Rohingyas are growing, we believe the cooperation of the Bangladeshi people is also needed,”
The former Danish prime minister went onto say: “Today, Save the Children is providing life-saving healthcare, food supplies and access to clean water and sanitation.
We are also providing education and child protection services for the most vulnerable children in the camps.
But we rely on the support of the Bangladeshi people, particularly the local host community of Cox’s Bazar, whose lives have changed dramatically since the Rohingya crisis escalated nearly two years ago.”
“Save the children eagerly wishes to work for Rohingyas along with Bangladeshis at any time.”
“Save the Children stands shoulder to shoulder with Bangladesh in responding to the needs of the Rohingya while they are in Bangladesh.
“Together, we can uphold the dignity and rights of Rohingya refugees and the host community in Bangladesh while pursuing international justice for the crimes committed against the Rohingya in Myanmar,” she added.
On a two day visit with Save the Children Bangladesh Country Director Mark Pierce, Schmidt visited various activities in the refugee camps such as, “Temporary Learning Centre,” “General Food Distribution Centre,” “Health and Nutrition Post,” “Child Friendly Space,” “Child Protection Case” “Management Office,” and “Health and Nutrition Office.”
