Rohingya crisis: Unicef calls for support in monsoon

Unicef has called out for further support for thousands of vulnerable Rohingya children during monsoon, which is expected to unleash full scale misery in the refugee camps.

The Rohingya refugees have already been badly affected in the rain, winds and landslides during the past week, leaving one child dead, it says in a press release issued today.

"Thousands of children and their families are living in shelters on hilly areas with no trees, rocks or shrubs to hold sandy ground – much of which has now turned into mud - as the rains continue and the water table rises rapidly," said Edouard Beigbeder, Unicef Representative in Bangladesh.

"It's vital that refugees in the most vulnerable locations are able to move to safer locations, but many families – who have already faced upheavals several times over the last few months -- are reluctant to abandon their makeshift homes," he said.

As the monsoon rains intensify, so do the dangers that children face – not only injury, separation or even death as a result of landslides and flooding, but also disease, and a lack of access to vital services including health and education," he added.

"Urgent support is needed to avert further catastrophe for thousands of children."