Rohingya people are numbered around one million in Myanmar at the start of 2017 are one of the many ethnic minorities in the country. Rohingya represent the largest faith percentage in Myanmar with the majority living in Rakhine state.

They have their own language and culture and say they are descendants of Arab traders and other groups who have been in the region for generations. The government of Myanmar denies the Rohingya citizenship and even excluded them from the 2014 census refusing to recognize them. The latest exodus began on 25 August 2017 after Rohingya Arsa militants launched deadly attacks on more than 30 police posts. At least 6,700 Rohingya adults including at least 730 children under the age of five were killed in the month after the violence broke out, according to Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF).

The violence as been described by the UN (United Nations) as ethnic cleansing and possible genocide, included the killing of thousands of people, women and children abuse, villages razed and forced more than 700,000 to flee over the border to Bangladesh. Mr Marzuki Darusman the chair of the UN fact-finding Mission on Myanmar said late last year there was an ongoing genocide in Rakhine.
 
Pablo Al-Kaalik a former soccer player now actor was at United Nations High Commission For Refugees (UNHCR) in Malaysia supporting his charity CFA by Pablo and shared a few words.

What brings you to this camp?

“I have been following the Myanmar Rohingya crisis in particular the Rakhine state where the crisis started over 5 years ago. I learned that many have fled Myanmar and came to Malaysia for support”.

“I wanted to see what was happening on the ground at the camp and speak with the settlers outside. I arrived at UNHCR Malaysia HQ at sunrise and managed to speak to a few UN officials who explained that the problem was bigger than expected. Also how neighbouring villages outside Kuala Lumper were independently helping the refugees something I didn’t know”

How’s your visit been so far?

“Outside the camp there were large numbers of refugees waiting in anticipation for support. Many were reluctant to speak to me but I managed to speak to a few from various regions of Myanmar who explained their struggles and difficultly in escaping”. “Giving back” “I spent time with the refugees listening to their stories and surprised how many were waiting to get into the camp and some fainting on roadside due to the heat”.

“On leaving the camp I handed out some football kits which I wasn’t going to take away their pain but it momentarily bought a smile to their faces which was something”. “Let’s not forget the people of Rohingya” 

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