By Rachel Carle | Individual Giving Officer
In the world's largest refugee camp, Cox's Bazar in Bangladesh, the stakes are high. ActionAid Country Director Farah Kabir shares that, "There is a very real risk that the [COVID-19] virus could now spread like wildfire. People are living in incredibly close proximity and many could have been exposed."
That's why community-led efforts to educate and prevent the spread are so important. For years now, ActionAid has led a network of Women-Friendly Spaces, places in the refugee camp where Rohingya women and girls can come to feel safe, be in community, learn and lead. In the age of COVID, these spaces have become vital centers for community mobilization.
Anowara, pictured above, is one of the community leaders making masks through ActionAid's program. She shares, "We are all well trained how to keep ourselves safe during the time of coronavirus. It's hard for us because to buy soap we need money. Also getting clean water in the camp is difficult. But every time we come in the Women-Friendly Space, we clean ourselves.
"I am wearing the mask I made and everyone of my family is wearing masks that I made. Also, when I sell masks in my community, I realized I am helping them too.
"We are not safe if all of us do not maintain hygiene and distance. It's difficult to keep distance in our camp which is very cramped and over populated. But we are trying our best we that we can stay healthy. I fear coronavirus, but we have to fight against it."
Now more than ever, your commitment to human rights makes a difference - for Anowara and for thousands of Rohingya refugee women and girls. Thank you for your continued support and solidarity.
You can learn more here about ActionAid's coronavirus response around the world.
By Mohammad Abou-Ghazala | Policy and Development Intern
By Rachel Carle | Development Associate
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