Turkish NGO sets up bamboo houses for Rohingya

By Zehra Melek Cat

ISTANBUL

Besir Foundation, a Turkish non-governmental organization, has set up bamboo houses for Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh, the foundation said on Tuesday.

According to the foundation, the construction of the bamboo city for Rohingya at Thangkhali in Bangladesh has been completed.

Since Aug. 25, 2017, more than 750,000 refugees, mostly children women, have fled Myanmar and crossed into Bangladesh after Myanmar forces launched a crackdown on the minority Muslim community, according to Amnesty International.

At least 9,400 Rohingya were killed in Rakhine from Aug. 25 to Sept. 24 last year, according to Doctors Without Borders.

In a report published recently, the humanitarian group said the deaths of 71.7 percent or 6,700 Rohingya were caused by violence. They include 730 children below the age of 5.

According to the foundation, 1,000 bamboo houses -- suitable for climate conditions in the region -- were built and almost eight people can live in each house.

In addition, social domains such as classrooms, a mosque, water wells, toilets, bathrooms and a playground were built in the bamboo city so that needs of thousands of Rohingya refugees could be met.

The foundation will slaughter sacrificial animals and deliver meat across Turkey and abroad on the Muslim festival of Eid al-Adha set to be celebrated on Aug. 21.

The Rohingya, described by the UN as the world's most persecuted people, have faced heightened fears of attack since dozens were killed in communal violence in 2012.

The UN documented mass gang rapes, killings -- including of infants and young children -- brutal beatings, and disappearances committed by security personnel.

In a report, UN investigators said such violations may have constituted crimes against humanity.