The stateless Rohingya minority in Myanmar has endured widespread discrimination and violence for decades. In the past few years conditions in Rakhine State have deteriorated, forcing many to flee their homes and find safe haven in foreign lands. Preyed upon by people smugglers, traffickers, and corrupt officials, more than 7,000 Rohingya refugees this year alone have undertaken several high-risk voyages from Myanmar using poorly supplied and overcrowded boats across treacherous seas for weeks. Many lives have already been lost at sea and many have perished. Those who survived the treacherous treacherous journeys must now survive life in temporary camps where they are under threat of poor nutrition, disease and psychological issues throughout their wait for the refugee screening and relocation processes, which may take years.

Their suffering may continue, but there is hope.

In Aceh Province of Indonesia, since 10 May 2015, thousands of Rohingya asylum seekers and Bangladeshi migrants were rescued at sea by local fishermen and received warm welcome and support from the local communities. Currently, over 2,000 asylum seekers and migrants in four camps spread across four districts and municipalities in Aceh are being cared for by the local authorities and local organisations, with the support of international agencies. Such an overwhelming display of compassion is testament to the humanitarian spirit in us all. However, we urgently need to sustain these efforts and ensure that the refugees and migrants are supported in their recovery, and that the Roihngya refugees, who cannot return to Myanmar, are protected while durable solutions are found.

The Geutanyoe Foundation (“geutanyoe” means “ours” in Acehnese) is a community charity based in Aceh Province, who is part of the humanitarian effort at the refugee camps in Aceh and has been providing support on-location since the arrival of the survivors. We have already established child-friendly spaces, emergency education classes and delivered hygiene and sanitation supplies, blankets, sandals, toys and sport equipment for children. Additional support is urgently needed.

The Geutanyoe Foundation is seeking funds to deliver programmes in public health and sanitation, emergency education, child protection, psycho-social rehabilitation and skills training as well as to strengthen camp management and support basic logistics. We will be providing all camps with translators and facilitating medical volunteers from the region to support the local authorities in their response. Funds will also be used for advocacy, communication and documentation.