Hundreds of Rohingya refugees arrive by boat in Indonesia's Aceh province | DW News

Summary

Nearly 600 Rohingya refugees have landed in Indonesia's Aceh province, having fled persecution in Myanmar and overcrowded camps in Bangladesh. Traveling on perilous sea journeys in search of better opportunities, they are in urgent need of food, water, shelter, and medical help. The local community and international organizations are providing aid, but there are concerns about the refugees' integration and Indonesia's capacity to accommodate them, as the country is not a signatory to the UN Refugee Convention.

Takeaways

• 🚢 Nearly 600 Rohingya refugees have arrived in Indonesia's Aceh province, all by boat from Bangladesh.
• 🌍 Bangladesh is currently hosting up to a million Rohingya refugees in camps due to persecution in Myanmar.
• 🛳️ The refugees have undertaken dangerous sea journeys in search of better opportunities in Southeast Asian countries.
• 🏖️ Upon arrival in Indonesia, the refugees are in urgent need of food, water, shelter, and medical help.
• 👶 There are many babies and children among the refugees, highlighting the vulnerability of this group.
• 📅 One refugee mentioned starting their journey on October 26, indicating the recent nature of these arrivals.
• 🏚️ Local communities are providing aid, but there are concerns about suitable accommodation and potential incidents.
• 🚫 Some locals are rejecting the refugees, citing difficulties in assimilation and cultural differences.
• 🤝 International organizations like UNHCR are facilitating the refugees' arrival and providing assistance.
• 🏛️ Indonesia is not a signatory to the UN Refugee Convention and feels it lacks the obligation to accommodate refugees long-term.
• 🔮 The situation suggests a need for regional cooperation among ASEAN countries to address the ongoing refugee crisis.

Q & A

How many Rohingya refugees have arrived in Indonesia's AE province recently?

Nearly 600 Rohingya refugees have arrived in Indonesia's AE province in the past week.

Where did the Rohingya refugees arrive from?

The refugees arrived by boat from Bangladesh.

Why did the Rohingya refugees flee Myanmar?

They fled persecution under the military crackdown in Myanmar.

What conditions are the Rohingya refugees escaping from in the camps in Bangladesh?

The refugees are escaping dangerous overcrowding and poor conditions in the camps in Bangladesh.

What is the current situation of the refugees upon arrival in Indonesia?

The refugees are in urgent need of food, water, shelter, and medical help upon their arrival in Indonesia.

What is the local community's reaction to the arrival of the refugees?

The local community is providing food for the refugees, but they are concerned about the lack of suitable accommodation and the potential for undesirable incidents.

How long was the sea journey for the refugees?

The refugees were at sea for about 14 days, as mentioned by one of the refugees.

What is the condition of the boats that the refugees used for their journey?

The boats were rickety and decrepit wooden boats, putting the lives of the refugees in danger.

What is the current stance of Indonesia regarding the Rohingya refugees?

Indonesia is not part of the UN Refugee convention and has not ratified it, feeling that they do not have an obligation to take in refugees or provide a long-term solution for them.

How are the refugees being facilitated upon their arrival?

The UNHCR and International Organization for Migration are facilitating the refugees upon their arrival, providing immediate medical assistance and food.

What is the future plan for handling the Rohingya refugees in Indonesia and other ASEAN countries?

There have been meetings and sessions discussing the refugee situation not just in Indonesia but also with ASEAN countries, as the refugees are also trying to go to Malaysia and Thailand.