Canadian Red Cross welcomes Government of Canada support to Myanmar refugee crisis

October 31, 2017

Red Cross on the ground providing humanitarian support in Bangladesh and Myanmar

The Government of Canada today announced that for every eligible donation made by individual Canadians to registered Canadian charities between August 25 and November 28, 2017, the Government of Canada will contribute an equivalent amount to the Myanmar Crisis Relief Fund. 

The humanitarian situation continues to deteriorate as hundreds of thousands of people are fleeing violence in the northern areas of Myanmar’s Rakhine State into Bangladesh. More than 603,000 people have crossed the border into Bangladesh since August 25, most of whom are women and children, and the needs are immense. The Myanmar Crisis Relief Fund will support Canadian and international organizations currently hard at work providing assistance to those impacted by this emergency.

The Canadian Red Cross has sent aid workers, including a mobile health team, and is providing support at the Red Cross field hospital. With support from the Government of Canada, the Canadian Red Cross also mobilized supplies to support people fleeing violence in Myanmar’s northern Rakhine state, and is continuing to raise much needed funds here in Canada to support this humanitarian crisis by providing displaced people with medical care, emotional support, protection, gender and inclusion programming, shelter, relief items, water, sanitation and hygiene and food security.

QUOTE
“I have been deeply moved by the stories and strength of the people who have been forced to flee violence in Myanmar’s northern Rakhine state and are now seeking shelter here in Bangladesh. The needs are immense and we need to continue to scale up this response to help those most vulnerable. The Government of Canada’s announcement to match donations is very welcome news.”

- Conrad Sauvé, President and CEO, Canadian Red Cross

HOW CANADIANS CAN HELP
Canadians wishing to help people impacted by this disaster may make a donation to the Canadian Red Cross Myanmar Refugee Appeal online at www.redcross.ca, by calling 1-800-418-1111 or by contacting their local Canadian Red Cross office.

SPOKESPERSON AVAILABILITY
  • CEO Conrad Sauvé, limited availability from Bangladesh on Wednesday, November 1
  • Canadian Red Cross aid workers, availability from Bangladesh
     
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
@RedCrossCanada | facebook.com/CanadianRedCross | redcross.ca/blog 

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About the Canadian Red Cross
Here in Canada and overseas, the Red Cross stands ready to help people before, during and after a disaster. As a member of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement – which is made up of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, the International Committee of the Red Cross and 190 national Red Cross and Red Crescent societies – the Canadian Red Cross is dedicated to improving the lives of vulnerable people by mobilizing the power of humanity in Canada and throughout the world.

CONTACTS
  • English Media Line: 1-877-599-9602
  • French Media Line: 1-888-418-9111
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