Myanmar's 'Rohingya issue' is a regional refugee crisis that has now touched the shores of neighboring countries of Bangladesh, India and Thailand.
The crisis is now in its worst form with more than 300,000 people fleeing from Myanmar to Bangladesh in just two weeks.
Volunteers from Sikh NGO Khalsa Aid have reached Teknaf, a town located at the Bangladesh-Myanmar border to provide relief and support to Rohingya refugees.
Speaking to over phone, Amarpreet Singh, Managing Director, Khalsa Aid, India told that the situation is the worst form of ‘human crisis’.
"As part of Khalsa Aid, we have been to more than 20 countries for the relief missions, but this is the worst I have ever seen," said Mr Singh.
“We are in the pre-assessment phase before we start a major relief operation. A team of more than 25 volunteers is ready to start the much needed relief work."
More than 300,000 Rohingya refugees on the Bangladesh-Myanmar border are now facing severe food shortages.
Volunteers from Sikh NGO Khalsa Aid helping Rohingya refugees at Bangladesh-Myanmar border Source: Supplied
Amarpreet Singh told that the refugees fleeing into Bangladesh are in need of urgent assistance including food, shelter, clothing and medical attention.
“We have seen people living in the camps or open ground. The wet weather is making their lives even worse,” said Mr Singh.
“It is an international human crisis. The UN High Commissioner of Human Rights told the United Nations Human Rights Council in Geneva that more than 270,000 people had fled to Bangladesh, with more trapped on the border.
“There are reports of burning of villages and extrajudicial killing in Myanmar's western Rakhine state, which is home to Rohingya community.
“We are committed to provide langar/food and shelter. But the number of refugees have overwhelmingly exceeded than we thought earlier.
"The langar (community kitchen) is a core part of the Sikh faith, in which Sikh volunteers offer food to people of all religions and backgrounds.
“There is no timeline for our efforts, we’ll keep providing the support until the crisis is over."
"We still have a very long way to go and through sangat's support, we can continue to offer assistance to the needy around the world," adds Mr Singh.
The continuing influx of refugees in Bangladesh has resulted in friction with neighboring Myanmar. Dhaka is now accusing Myanmar of committing genocide against the Rohingya.
According to the , more than 10,000 homes had been burned in Rakhine state, a figure that cannot be verified as Myanmar has restricted independent access to the state.
