Indonesian Fishermen Rescue Rohingya Refugees

On Saturday, Indonesian fishermen rescued 116 starving and emaciated Rohingya refugees, according to reports from Aceh authorities and Indonesian UN agencies.

The refugees, fleeing from the Cox’s Bazar Rohingya refugee camp in Bangladesh, were stranded on an island in Indonesia’s northern Aceh province. Nova Suryandaru, the local police chief, stated, “They were starving, dehydrated, and weak. Fortunately, locals provided assistance.”

The region has seen an increase in Rohingya arrivals. Between February and October, 230 Rohingya refugees arrived in East Aceh province and sought shelter. This recent rescue adds to the growing humanitarian crisis faced by the community.

In 2017, nearly one million Rohingya Muslims fled Myanmar following brutal genocide, mass killings, and expulsions perpetrated by the Myanmar military. These atrocities forced them to seek refuge in Bangladesh, where they now live in overcrowded camps.

The Rohingya, an ethnic minority group in Myanmar, have faced decades of systemic discrimination and are largely denied citizenship. Many refugees, enduring desperate conditions in the camps, attempt perilous journeys to Indonesia or Malaysia in search of safety and better opportunities.

The increase in Rohingya arrivals in Indonesia over the past year highlights the urgent need for international intervention and sustainable solutions to address the crisis.

Rohingya Vision News