Thousands of Rohingya children need more support:World Vision

Humanitarian organisation World Vision on Monday stressed the need for more assistance of food, shelters and healthcare for thousands of Rohingya children who are taking refuge in Bangladesh fleeing violence in the Rakhine state of Myanmar.

The international organisation came up with the observation at a statement issued here coinciding with the Universal Children's Day.

"This year, I wish to emphasize the importance of protecting children of the Myanmar and those particularly girls who face additional risks in emergencies. We need to protect them," Fred Witteveen, National Director, World Vision Bangladesh said in the statement.

The statement said the humanitarian needs on the ground are vast while children are the most vulnerable.

"Unfortunately, the refugees here are either silent or ignorant about child protection issues - maybe because they're already too distressed from their situation and language barrier is also a major issue," says Darren D' Costa, World Vision Child Protection Officer.

He said: "I spoke to parents and witnessed their overwhelming sadness and fears at not being able to protect their kids. Beside this proper security is huge issue for the huge population in the camps".

The statement also said the humanitarian organisation has started setting up the 40 Child Friendly Spaces (CFS) to protect them from the worst outcomes of displacement, which include trafficking, trauma, and violence at the refugee camps, targeting at least 4,000 refugee children, reports BSS.