Why we chose to support MSF
We spoke to Shabnam Mayet from the organization Protect the Rohingya, who explains why they donate to MSF.
Tell us about the organisation? Protect the Rohingya began in 2012 with a handful of members after significant numbers of Rohingya Muslims were massacred in Arakan State in June 2012. Our aim was to work on raising awareness about the Rohingya because back in 2012, South Africans didn’t know much about this group of people other than the fact that they were living in pitiful conditions and were victims of crimes against humanity. We now work with several international Rohingya groups and activists. What are some of the highlights of your work? We’ve been very active in advocating for the Rohingya over the years. Our longest running project is an annual event of solidarity called #Black4Rohingya. Since 2013, we ask everyone to join the movement by wearing black in solidarity with the Rohingya people on the 13th of June every year and to tweet their photos and messages of solidarity to us using the hashtag. How did you end up donating to MSF? In 2017, renewed violence left over 6,000 Rohingya dead, many of whom were children, and thousands started to flee Myanmar for Bangladesh. Many people were moved by the plight of the Rohingya and they wanted to donate money. We organised as a collection drive and money was raised, but since we’re not an aid organisation, we were looking for the right organisation to channel the money through. We decided on MSF because we really liked the way that MSF works and appreciate that we could donate our funds for the Rohingya cause specifically.
Photo: © Anthony Kwan/MSF
How do you feel about MSF’s work supporting the Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh? When I've been to the refugee camps, we've gone down to the MSF hospital.
“To see the good work MSF does and how dedicated the staff are makes you feel like the money that you're donating is really working for the people that need it most; the most vulnerable of people.” - Shabnam Mayet
How important do you think it is for MSF to provide care in conflict zones? It’s extremely important. People in conflict, like the Rohingya who were forced from their home country, have experienced so much trauma that they deserve the best care. As much as everyday people would like to get stuck in and help people in crisis, it's not possible in modern living. MSF gives us the opportunity to at least contribute to helping people in conflict zones. I think in a world like ours with increasing conflict resulting in more and more displaced people, we should do everything we can to support organisations that are helping the most vulnerable.
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