Cardinal Michael Felix Czerny, S.J., Prefect of the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development (Vatican City State), visited the Rohingya refugee camps in Cox’s Bazar to observe ongoing humanitarian efforts and express solidarity with the displaced Rohingya community.
Cardinal Czerny was accompanied by Fr. Joseph Savarimathu, his Secretary; Ms. Francesca Dona, Regional Coordinator for Asia Mainland; Archbishop Kevin Stuart Randall, Apostolic Nuncio to Bangladesh; Archbishop Lawrence Subrata Howlader, C.S.C., of Chattogram; and Bishop Gervas Rozario, Chairman of the Episcopal Commission for Justice and Peace. Fr. Liton Gomes, C.S.C., Secretary of the same Commission, was also present.
The delegation was warmly received by Mr. Daud Jibon Das, Executive Director and Project Director of the Emergency Response Program (ERP), along with senior ERP staff.
Cardinal Michael Felix Czerny, S.J., Prefect of the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development (Vatican City State), visited the Rohingya refugee camps in Cox’s Bazar to observe ongoing humanitarian efforts and express solidarity with the displaced Rohingya community.
Cardinal Czerny was accompanied by Fr. Joseph Savarimathu, his Secretary; Ms. Francesca Dona, Regional Coordinator for Asia Mainland; Archbishop Kevin Stuart Randall, Apostolic Nuncio to Bangladesh; Archbishop Lawrence Subrata Howlader, C.S.C., of Chattogram; and Bishop Gervas Rozario, Chairman of the Episcopal Commission for Justice and Peace. Fr. Liton Gomes, C.S.C., Secretary of the same Commission, was also present.
The delegation was warmly received by Mr. Daud Jibon Das, Executive Director and Project Director of the Emergency Response Program (ERP), along with senior ERP staff.
Visits to Caritas Projects and Community Programs
During the visit, Cardinal Czerny and the delegation met Rohingya families and observed the humanitarian initiatives implemented by Caritas Bangladesh. They visited the MCAC Centre (a Caritas-run community and learning space) at Camp 4 and Camp 4 Extension under the Protection Program, where they interacted with young children and witnessed their learning activities.
The delegation then attended a demonstration and community consultation on WASH (Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene) at the Warehouse-cum-Distribution Centre in Camp 4, followed by a visit to Shelter interventions in Camp 19.
There, Cardinal Czerny personally distributed Shelter Upgradation Materials (SUM) to refugee families, met with community leaders, and joined them in prayer for a dignified repatriation. The delegation also visited the BMZ Centre, where they interacted with women participating in community learning and empowerment programs.
Children’s Welcome and Messages of Hope
At the MCAC Centres, children welcomed the Prefect with an action song and bouquets of flowers, a joyful expression of hope amid the challenges of camp life.
“We are happy that you came to visit us,” the children said. “Please help us with more play and learning materials so that we can continue to learn and enjoy our time together. When we have these activities, we feel loved and cared for.”
Cardinal Czerny expressed deep appreciation for their warmth, saying their joy and creativity are “signs of hope and life that inspire us all to keep serving with compassion.”
During the visit, Cardinal Czerny and the delegation met Rohingya families and observed the humanitarian initiatives implemented by Caritas Bangladesh. They visited the MCAC Centre (a Caritas-run community and learning space) at Camp 4 and Camp 4 Extension under the Protection Program, where they interacted with young children and witnessed their learning activities.
The delegation then attended a demonstration and community consultation on WASH (Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene) at the Warehouse-cum-Distribution Centre in Camp 4, followed by a visit to Shelter interventions in Camp 19.
There, Cardinal Czerny personally distributed Shelter Upgradation Materials (SUM) to refugee families, met with community leaders, and joined them in prayer for a dignified repatriation. The delegation also visited the BMZ Centre, where they interacted with women participating in community learning and empowerment programs.
Gratitude from the Rohingya Community
At a Community Consultation Meeting held at the ERP Warehouse, Rohingya representatives expressed heartfelt gratitude for Caritas’ ongoing presence in the camps.
“We thank Caritas Bangladesh for being with us, for their love, their service, and the care they show through volunteers and community members who work beside us. Every day, Caritas helps us live with dignity, through clean water, safe sanitation, shelter, and improved sites where our children can play and families can feel safe. In this long journey of suffering and uncertainty, Caritas has remained close. Their work is not only about survival; it gives us strength and restores our hope. Even when the world’s attention fades, Caritas Bangladesh stays, standing with us, listening to us, and working for our people. For that, we are deeply grateful.”
Speaking to community members, Cardinal Czerny remarked: “The benefit of WASH is lifelong, here, where we live, and all over the world. What I see here among the Rohingya community is not only humanitarian service but a true community of care, people who support one another, share what little they have, and live their faith through compassion. The positive behavior changes practiced here, in hygiene, respect for one another, and care for creation, are seeds of hope that must continue to grow. When the time comes for repatriation, these values and habits will be carried back to their homeland, becoming foundations for a healthier, more peaceful future.”
Reflecting on the visit, the Cardinal added: “My experience in the camp shows that people are facing many serious challenges in their daily lives. They have a deep desire to return home. I am very happy with the different activities that Caritas sponsors, as they are continuously supporting people and preparing them for a hopeful future.”
He also addressed the international community and faith-based organizations, urging continued commitment: “The situation is very difficult, with funding cuts and less attention from the world. The world should show more solidarity, not less. All organizations, Christian and others, need to respond to the real needs of people and continue to support those who are suffering. We are helping, and we must continue to help.”
In conclusion, Cardinal Czerny expressed his heartfelt prayers for the Rohingya people: “I am very happy to be here with the Rohingya people and to witness their strength and resilience. I pray and wish that one day they will be able to return safely to their homeland and live in peace and dignity.”
Radio Veritas Asia (RVA), a media platform of the Catholic Church, aims to share Christ. RVA started in 1969 as a continental Catholic radio station to serve Asian countries in their respective local language, thus earning the tag “the Voice of Asian Christianity.” Responding to the emerging context, RVA embraced media platforms to connect with the global Asian audience via its 21 language websites and various social media platforms.
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