Donations for Rohingya Refugees through UNHCR (United Nations High Commission for Refugees)- The Best Option
COVA Network
Friends,
Ever since the genocide of Rohingyas started in Myanmar and the reported flight of over 4,00,000 Rohingyas to neighbouring Bangladesh, there is a sense of outrage and sentiment of solidarity with the hapless Rohingyas across the world. As a result, many people are coming forward to provide financial support to enable them to tide over the crises.
But there is a Flip Side also. Some individuals and organisations have started appealing for funds not only for Rohingya refugees in Myanmar and Bangladesh but also in other locations in different countries- in a bid to encash the current wave of sympathy.
A case in Point is Hyderabad in India.
There are about 3,800 Rohingya Refugees in Hyderabad. Every day we are seeing many appeals in social media for financial contributions to help the Rohingyas in Hyderabad. COVA is also receiving many calls and enquiries offering support for Rohingya Refugees in Hyderabad. While accepting that most refugees in Hyderabad are very poor and also deserve assistance, the need in Myanmar and Bangladesh is most acute given the very large numbers that are now displaced.
Working with refugees for 7 years we can say that most Rohingyas in Hyderabad are able to take care of themselves by engaging in some work. There are about 120 destitute families comprising widows, single mothers, challenged, elders and with chronic illnesses who cannot fend for themselves and with generous contributions from different individuals and groups, COVA is able to provide monthly rations with some cash to all these families. Hence, there is no acute or immediate need in Hyderabad and we have been declining offers of funds and recommending that they be sent to Bangladesh where the need is really severe.
So please beware of such appeals unless you are convinced of the credentials of the organisations making the appeal.
Many have asked if there are any organisations working with Rohingyas in Myanmar or Bangladesh to whom they can send the funds or give it to some organisations in India who in turn will send to some organisations in Bangladesh. The fact is this is not allowed and could have legal complications.
We recommend that funds intended for Rohingya Refugees (displaced in the past month and who are mostly located in Bangladesh) could be given to UNHCR Special Rohingya Fund through online transfers. The Links for donations to UNHCR are appended:
https://donate.unhcr.org/gu-en/rohingya
https://donate.unhcr.org/int-en/general
If Indians want to reach Rohingyas displaced by the recent violence online donations to UNHCR could be legally safe and would reach the correct target groups through an established accountable process. This may also apply to other countries like US,UK, Canada etc. Please check with your auditors.
Regards
Mazher Hussain
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COVA (Confederation of Voluntary Associations), is a national network of voluntary organisations working for communal harmony and community empowerment in India and peace in South Asia and South East Asia through formation of COFI (Countering Online Fanatic Indoctrination) Networks in 12 countries of the region. COVA is also engaged with multilateral bodies like the United Nations Organisation, G20, BRICS, OIC and others for structural transformations of the world order to make society more equitable, sustainable, just and peaceful.
