More Rohingya refugees arrive by boat in Indonesia’s western region

Over 110 Rohingya refugees arrived in Indonesia’s Aceh province after their boat almost sank, as more refugees seek safety in the country. The Rohingya, fleeing poor conditions in Myanmar, typically travel by boat to Indonesia and Malaysia between October and April. Last month, 400 Rohingya arrived in Aceh and North Sumatra, with mostly women and children among the group that landed on Saturday. The refugees were rescued by fishermen after their boat sustained damage. The UNHCR reported a total of 116 refugees arriving in East Aceh’s Birem Bayeun district. Meanwhile, nearly 1 million Rohingya are living in camps in Bangladesh, facing challenges due to their stateless status. In Myanmar, they are denied citizenship and face abuse. Indonesia, not a signatory of the UN refugee convention, has limited capacity to accommodate refugees, leading to some hostility towards Rohingya arrivals. Last year, over 2,000 Rohingya arrived in Indonesia, surpassing the total of the previous four years combined. The increase in arrivals has strained resources and patience in the country as locals express frustration. Myanmar’s treatment of the Rohingya and regional conditions continue to drive refugees to seek safety elsewhere.

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