Reference :
V-P-BD-E-00061
Date :
01/02/2017
Caption :
Bandarban area, Naikhanchari village. Shahina Begum, with some of the refugees from Myanmar she is hosting in her house.
Confidentiality level :
public
Publication restrictions :
publication without restrictions
Description :
ICRC website, “Bangladesh: Humanity wins in the midst of hardship”, 8 March 2017
“Since October 2016, some 70,000 Muslim people fleeing insecurity in Myanmar have arrived in Bangladesh. Local people, like Cox's Bazar resident Shahina Begum, defy their own challenges to assist the refugees. The Bangladeshi Red Crescent and the ICRC help family members separated by the insecurity to restore family links. They improve access to health care by renovating and upgrading local health facilities.
It takes a bumpy ride to reach Shahina Begum's house, located about an hour's drive from the famous beach town, Cox's Bazar, in south-eastern Bangladesh. Shahina is 45 years old and teaches at a local school. She used to work with non-governmental organizations, implementing local development projects, before switching to teaching.
Since October 2016, Shahina has been hosting and supporting 40 – 50 Muslims who fled their homes in Northern Rakhine State in Myanmar and sought refuge in Cox's Bazar, Bandarban and adjacent places in Bangladesh. Asked why she helps them, Shahina, commonly known as 'Madam' by her neighbours, out of respect, simply replies: "Why not? Where else will they go?"
In spite of the strain that helping the refugees has on her and her husband's limited resources, Shahina readily offers what she can to them. Most importantly, she offers them peace and tranquility after their difficult and emotionally draining journey.
"The refugees are not different from us – we are all humans with flesh and blood. They need shelter, food and warm clothes. I take them in and offer some help regardless of my limited capacity", she explains. Troubled and upset after listening to the refugees recount their ordeal, she decided to help them by sharing her small piece of land and providing them with a roof over their heads.
An ICRC team met Shahina in Cox's Bazar as it collected oral greetings and tracing requests from people who had fled Rakhine State, including those she was sheltering in her house.”
Original material :
digital
Resolution :
5184x3456
Orientation :
landscape
Colour/B&W :
colour
