Turkish Aid Agency TIKA Helps Rohingya Muslims
The Rohingya Muslims are facing one of the worst genocides of the modern times. More than 400 people have lost their lives in Myanmar during the previous week. The killings occurred due to attacks by the insurgents.
Estimates suggest over 100,000 Rohingya Muslims have crossed the border to the neighboring Bangladesh. However, not everyone was fortunate enough to make it in one piece. Some of these Rohingya Muslims are internally displaced, living as refugees.
Turkey’s Offer of Help to Rohingya Muslims
Turkey has openheartedly offered assistance to the persons displaced due to the Rohingya Muslim crisis. The Turkish humanitarian organization TIKA (Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency) has already delivered 1000 tons of aid packages containing dried fish, clothing, and rice.
The military will distribute the aid via helicopters into the affected areas. The Rakhine Government will offer assistance in distribution of the aid.
The country’s leadership permitted the apportionment of the aid after Turkish President’s phone call to Aung San Suu Kyi. TIKA becomes the first foreign aid agency to offer assistance to the troubled Rohingya Muslims.
Crossing into Bangladesh and Landmines Laid by Myanmar
The UN stats confirm crossing of around 123,600 Rohingya Muslims into Bangladesh. The humanitarian agencies estimate that hundreds of thousands of more internally displaced Rohingya will cross the border.
Myanmar does not want the leaving refugees to come back to their homes in Rakhine. Therefore, the army is laying landmines to deter the internally displaced persons from returning back to their homeland. Only two days ago an elder woman had her leg blown away when trying to cross the border.
International Reaction to the Myanmar Crisis
Here is how the international community is responding to the Rohingya crisis.
Indonesia
The Foreign Minister of Indonesia has met with Aung San Suu Kyi to convey his concerns over the genocide of the Muslims. The underlying message for her was to do more to overcome the situation facing the Muslims of Rakhine. Many in Indonesia have already protested in front of Myanmar embassy.
Malaysia
The Foreign Minister of Malaysia has also expressed similar concerns over the criminal silence of Aung San Suu Kyi on this issue. Sri Anifah Aman questioned her silence adding that she had always stood for defending the human rights. Furthermore, he added that she was doing nothing in this situation.
Turkey
The President of Turkey, Recep Tayyip Erdogan stated that he is asking the world leaders to play their role. Furthermore, he described the Rohingya crisis as a genocide of Muslims. The Turkish President also vowed to raise the issue in UN General Assembly later this month.
Pakistan
Pakistan has communicated its concerns to the country’s leadership. Khawaja Asif, the country’s Foreign Minister, has asked the Myanmar leadership to take effective steps to stop the violence.
Iran
Foreign Minister of Iran, Javad Zarif has also emphasized the global silence over the issue of Rohingya crisis. Furthermore, he asked for world powers to take action to stop the genocide of Muslims in Rakhine. He also asked the United Nations to play its role.
Chechnya
Thousands took out a rally in support of the Rakhine Muslims displaced by the Myanmar crisis. They also staged a rally to mark their protest.
Desmond Tutu
Desmond Tutu also joined the fellow humanitarian Malala Yousafzai in condemning the brutal killings of Muslims in Myanmar. He is a South African social rights activist who became famous for openly opposing the apartheid.
