SCOTTISH donations are “crucial” to helping more than half a million Rohingya refugees fleeing violence in Myanmar, a charity said yesterday.

More than £160,000 has been raised by the Scottish Catholic International Aid Fund (Sciaf) to help the refugees escape to neighbouring Bangladesh.

The money is being used to tackle overcrowding as 646,000 refugees have crossed the border and are now living in makeshift camps. Blankets, floor mats and sleeping mats are being distributed to 14,600 families as they prepare for the harsh winter conditions.