A Scottish aid agency has launched an emergency appeal to get aid for Myanmar refugees.

The Scottish Catholic International Aid Fund (SCIAF) is sending £50,000 to its sister agency, Caritas Bangladesh, which is already helping more than 163,000 Rohingya people who have crossed the border into the country.

Many families arrived in Bangladesh with few possessions and are now entirely reliant on humanitarian assistance.

SCIAF director Alistair Dutton said: "The Rohingya people are going through Hell and desperately need our help.

"More than 480,000 people - roughly the population of Edinburgh - have fled for their lives into Bangladesh.

"Many have experienced horrific violence and the destruction of their homes and villages."

The Glasgow-based charity is part of the global Caritas network of Catholic international aid and development organisations and has worked in Myanmar for many years.

Dutton warned much more help is needed to address the current humanitarian crisis.

He added: "The eyes of the world are on the Rohingya. Having heard their cries, we must respond.

"I urge everyone to pray for the Rohingya people and give whatever they can to help them through this terrible situation."

The recent wave of violence in Rakhine State, which began on August 25, has driven almost 500,000 Rohingya people across the border into Cox's Bazar, Bangladesh.

Limited basic services that were available before the massive influx of refugees are now under severe strain.

Existing settlements and camps have rapidly expanded and new settlements are forming and growing quickly.

Significant numbers of new arrivals are also being absorbed into the local host community.

SCIAF said there is an immediate need to get food and other items such as pots, pans, soap, jerry cans and shelter to the refugees.

The charity works with people in some of the poorest countries in the world, providing emergency aid and practical long term support to those affected by hunger, poverty, war and disasters.

To donate to SCIAF's Rohinga Emergency Appeal visit www.sciaf.org.uk or call 0141 354 5555.