Swiss charity ceases to provide new grants to Myanmar

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C&A Foundation is increasing its support to humanitarian relief and the prevention of gender-based violence and human trafficking amongst the Rohingyas in Bangladesh

Global corporate charity organization C&A Foundation has paused new grants for its philanthropic work in Myanmar for indefinite period following the ongoing Rohingya crisis.

C&A, a foundation of well-known chain of fashion retailing group Clemens and August, issued a statement in this regard on February 8.

Blaming the Myanmar government in the statement, it said: “As part of our commitment to fundamental rights, equality and diversity; C&A Foundation has decided that we cannot continue our philanthropic work in Myanmar in the current climate.

“While we will fulfill our ongoing commitments, C&A Foundation is pausing new grant-making. We are also increasing our support to humanitarian relief and the prevention of gender-based violence and human trafficking amongst the growing refugee population in Bangladesh.”

The statement said: “We are hopeful that the government can implement the recommendations of the Advisory Commission on Rakhine State chaired by former UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan but until an acceptable solution has been found for the Rohingya community, this pause is indefinite.”

The foundation of the international chain of fashion retail clothing stores also expressed deep concern over ongoing persecution and human rights violations by the Myanmar military against the Rohingyas.

In the statement, C&A Foundation said: “The United Nations and members of the international community have described the ongoing conflict in Northern Rakhine states as ethnic cleansing. We believe that it is the responsibility of the Myanmar government to protect all populations within the country affected by conflict and allow for the safe passage of humanitarian assistance.”

“The goal of C&A Foundation is to transform the fashion industry into a force for good. That means not only making grants to change industry practices, but also using our collective power to strengthen the communities in which we work.”

In 2016, C&A Foundation began supporting initiatives in Myanmar with the goals of creating a fair and equitable garment industry, working closely with stakeholders, including government, to improve conditions for garment workers.

The Bangladesh government’s Refugee Relief and Repatriation Commission (RRRC) stated that more than 689,360 Rohingya refugees entered Bangladesh from August 25, 2017 till February 11, 2018.

The Rohingya mass exodus was triggered by a brutal military campaign perpetrated by the Myanmar Army and local Moghs. Hundreds of thousands of Rohingya refugees are currently living in the two upazilas of Cox’s Bazar.

Myanmar does not recognize the Rohingyas as citizens and force many of them to live in squalid camps in apartheid-like condition. Dhaka and Naypyidaw have signed an agreement to send the Rohingyas back to their homeland.

After signing a bilateral deal in November 2017, the repatriation was scheduled to begin last month, but it got delayed.