A Rohingya refugee carries two children in buckets as they arrive at Shah Porir Dwip in Teknaf, Bangladesh. (Photo: AFP)

New York: The UN has appealed to the international community to keep aside politics and support the ongoing humanitarian efforts to help Rohingya Muslim refugees from Myanmar.

Expressing concern over the situation, Stephane Dujarric, spokesperson to the UN secretary-general said: “The reports we’re getting, the pictures all of us are seeing are heart-breaking to say the least.”

“I think the entire international community should support the ongoing humanitarian efforts, regardless of politics. These are people in need. These are very vulnerable people who have crossed the border, who’ve, as we said, are hungry and are malnourished and deserve to be helped,” he said.

The United Nation’s humanitarian wing, he said, has done emergency planning for about 300,000 Rohingya refugees.

“We are urgently appealing for more funds (for assistance),” he said.

“Are you disappointed that major regional players, including in India, in particular, have actually sort of made their stand about this Rohingya crisis very clear and actually not come out and supported when their support could have been quite crucial?” he was asked..