Emdad Rahman
BAD WEATHER AND RAIN could not dampen the spirit of a group of East London residents who have returned after climbing Mount Snowdon in Wales.
The group have spent the best part of six weeks fundraising for dignity packs for stricken Rohingya women who have escaped severe persecution from their own people in Myanmar too seek refuge in neighbouring Bangladesh.
More than half a million people – mostly Rohingya women and children – have fled violence in Myanmar’s Rakhine state. They are seeking refuge and are in urgent need of food, clean water, shelter and medical care after arriving exhausted and traumatised in overflowing camps and settlements in Bangladesh.
Despite often unsafe and treacherous conditions the team trekked to the summit of Mount Snowdon in Wales. At an elevation of 1,085 metres above sea level, this is the highest point in England and Wales.
The climb up and down the took five hours – however, each member was determined to serve the cause and recognised the perilous and torrid journey many of the Rohingya refugees endured for several days when they left their homes in Rakhine, Myanmar, and crossed over the border to Bangladesh.
With the beginning of the monsoon season upon them, heavy rain and cyclones could bring disease, flooding, landslides and further displacement to those in camps along the Bangladesh-Myanmar border.
BRTUK Chair Naz Ali said, “The boys were magnificent today as the weather was not the greatest with rain, sleet, mist and fog. The Rohingya situation is one of the biggest humanitarian challenges for us today. I’m really proud of what we have achieved today both in terms of fundraising and also raising huge awareness through social media.”
Joynul Ahmed was in charge of the climb and commented, “The attitude throughout was one of total focus and I was pleasantly surprised by the fitness levels and tenacity displayed by the team. The group itself was a pleasure to work with. Well done everybody – you have done our community proud.”
•BRTUK SNOWDONIA TEAM Umar Islam Ripon Rob Abdul Basith~ Hussain Ali Naz Ali Moklisur Rahman Emdad Rahman Nazrul Hoque Abdul Hakim Joynul Ahmed Maruf Ahmed
•Read more about it: Bangladesh Regeneration Trust launches Rohingya trek Bishwanath United start 2018 with charity game
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