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The Grandmother

27 May 2018
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Myanmar (Burma)
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During the period of Ramadan, we will be running a four-part series to highlight the human face of the Rohingya refugee crisis.
Listen and read Part 2 below.

Part 2: The Grandmother

For eight days Solim has carried his mother on his back. She is almost 100 years old; she is too weak to walk. Her name is Dilaforuz - she was in good health for her age before she, her son, her daughter-in-law, and her six grandchildren began their grueling journey from Myanmar to a refugee camp in Bangladesh.

At home, doctors would visit her and provide medicine and relief from her ailments

Dilaforuz is dying; her life will end in unfamiliar surroundings. Her family will be with her, but this is not home. She struggles to breathe now because of severe asthma. She cannot eat solids, and she struggles to talk. She cries often; her son and daughter-in-law, Jahura, feed her with sugary drinks to sustain her.

Jahura is relieved that her children are safe from immediate danger, but the suffering of her mother-in-law pains her:

"We are here, living with nothing, but at least we are safe. We don’t have any problems except the fact my mother-in-law is so sick. I hope an NGO can help us and give her medical assistance. It makes us very sad to see her groaning with pain, suffering and coughing day and night.

It would help if my husband could find a job. But it’s impossible in the camp, and we’re forbidden from going to Cox’s Bazar city to try to find work."

-Jahura, daughter-in-law to Dilaforuz

Doctors Without Borders is working in the refugee camp, providing primary medical care for people like Dilaforuz.

We believe that she and people like her deserve to be treated with dignity, that they deserve access to the healthcare they need, no matter their age or background. But we can’t provide this care without the generosity of people like you.

Here's what you can do:

This event is licensed by Islamic Affairs and Charitable Activities Department (License #: 1064).