Cardinal Felix Michael Czerny, SJ, prefect of the Vatican's Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development, today called on the international community to come forward and extend support for the Rohingyas amid funding cuts and growing global conflicts.
"The very difficult situation, made worse by funding cuts and so many conflicts in the world, means that the world should offer more solidarity, not less," Cardinal Czerny said during his visit to Rohingya refugee camps in Cox's Bazar.
He stressed that humanitarian and faith-based organisations must continue to meet the real needs of people who are suffering and find new ways to help those in need instead of abandoning them.
Reflecting on his visit to the camps, Cardinal Czerny met Rohingya refugees, street children, indigenous groups, and displaced families, listened to their experiences and learned about their living conditions, daily struggles, and urgent needs, along with their strong desire to return home.
"I am so happy to be here with the Rohingya people. I am hoping very much to visit you when you are home again," Cardinal Czerny added.
He also observed several initiatives of Caritas Bangladesh in the Protection, WASH (Water, Sanitation and Hygiene), and Shelter sectors, discussing progress and challenges with field workers and local officials.
He was accompanied by: Father Joseph Savarimuthu, secretary to the cardinal; Francesca Donna, Asia regional coordinator of the Dicastery; Archbishop Kevin S Randall, Apostolic Nuncio to Bangladesh; Md Al Imran, senior assistant secretary and camp in-charge (Camp 19); and senior officials from Caritas Bangladesh.