Houston, TX (August 15, 2024): Sewa International has launched an emergency fundraising campaign to support Bangladeshi Hindus and other religious minorities under brutal attack in Bangladesh since August 5, 2024. In addition, Sewa International has released $10,000 from its emergency fund to send needed supplies, including food kits and other essential resources, immediately.
Since the recent fall of the democratically elected Sheikh Hasina government on August 5, extremists have been viciously targeting the religious minority communities, mainly focused on the indigenous Hindu population. Numerous Hindu temples have been burned down and homes destroyed. There have been multiple daily reports about women and young girls being kidnapped, raped, and molested.
Picture courtesy: Organiser
"The need for humanitarian aid on the ground for the victims is growing. It has been reported that some hospitals are refusing to treat the victims. Police are refusing to protect the families. The world needs to stand together for these helpless individuals. We ask our officials at the state and federal levels to condemn the violence targeting Bangladeshi minorities, and we urge the State Department to demand Bangladesh enforce law and order,” said Arun Kankani, President of Sewa International.
Picture courtesy: The Economic Times
"Since 1946, the Bangladeshi Hindu community has experienced violence and unimaginable atrocities many, many times. And this time is no exception. Each time what makes survival quite difficult is the lack of support and justice: The local shopkeepers won’t sell food to our community, and the local hospitals refuse to treat our wounded. Who will stand for us? Who will help us?" a local Bangladeshi said as he explained the ground situation in Bangladesh. Sewa has withheld the person's name due to safety concerns.
Link to Sewa’s fundraiser for Bangladeshi victims: https://sewausa.org/SupportVictimsHindusUnderAttackinBangladesh
About Sewa International
Sewa International (www.sewausa.org) is a 501 (c) (3) Hindu faith-based charitable nonprofit that works in the areas of disaster recovery, education, and development. Sewa has 43 Chapters across the USA and serves regardless of race, color, religion, sex, age, disability, or national origin.
