Rohingyas get relief materials from Malaysia

Rohingyas, who have recently taken shelter in Rohingya slums in Cox's Bazar, are receiving Malaysian relief materials.

On Wednesday, a 25-member Malaysian delegation, led by co-chief of the humanitarian mission and lawmaker Abdul Azeez bin Abdul Rahim, distributed relief items among 150 undocumented Rohingya families of three slums, said sources at the district administration.

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The Rohingyas entered Bangladesh following a military crackdown against them in Myanmar Rakhine state.

The three slums are in Kutupalong, Balukhali of Ukhia upazila and Leda of Teknaf upazila. Of the relief items, there are 35 types of materials, including rice, cooking oil, mineral water, sugar and clothes.

International Organisation for Migration and Bangladesh Red Crescent Society assisted the team in giving out the relief materials.

A cargo vessel named Nautical Aliya from Malaysia carrying the relief aid reached the Chittagong Port on Tuesday.

Saiful Islam Majumder, additional deputy commissioner (education and ICT) of Cox's Bazar, said the relief materials were kept in godowns in Ukhia and Teknaf and those would also be distributed on Sunday or Monday.

Saiful, also the chief of the relief distribution coordination committee, said the relief aid would be given out to 15,000 Rohingya families from four places. Of them, 5,000 Rohingya families are in Teknaf and the rest are in Ukhia. 

During the relief distribution programme, ADC Saiful Islam, Bangladesh Red Crescent Society General Secretary BMM Mazharul Hoque, its director Nazmul Azam Khan and Ukhia Upazila Nirbahi Officer Mohammad Mainuddin were present.

Talking to journalists, Malaysian lawmaker Rahim said Bangladesh has shown great sympathy to the helpless Rohingyas by sheltering them. He said the Malaysian government would send more relief items to Bangladesh.