In a humanitarian effort, Indonesian fishermen rescued 116 Rohingya refugees whose boat sank while attempting to reach safety along Southeast Asia’s coast. The group, primarily made up of women and children, faced severe hunger and dehydration before their rescue.
The refugees originated from the Cox’s Bazar camp in Bangladesh, embarking on a perilous journey toward Indonesia or Malaysia in search of better living conditions. Their escape highlights the desperate circumstances faced by the Rohingya community.
Local police chief Nova Suryandaru reported that the refugees, who appeared extremely weak due to hunger and dehydration, received assistance from local residents despite some opposition to their long-term residence. From February to October, East Aceh district saw 230 refugees arrive, although 173 have since left their shelters independently.
The Rohingya, a predominantly Muslim ethnic minority in Myanmar, endure significant discrimination, with many being denied citizenship. Since 2017, around 740,000 have fled military aggression and atrocities, including mass killings and sexual violence, seeking refuge in Bangladesh where nearly a million reside.
With refugee camps in Bangladesh becoming exceedingly overcrowded, Indonesia has urged the international community for support owing to the spike in Rohingya departures in the past year.
The plight of the Rohingya remains a pressing humanitarian issue, as seen in the recent rescue by Indonesian fishermen. As refugees continue to leave overcrowded camps, cooperation from neighboring countries and the global community is essential to address this ongoing crisis.
Source: APNews
