More Rohingya Migrants to Come Indonesia, UNHCR Warns
Aid groups and the Rohingya blame worsening conditions in the camps in Bangladesh for the increase in attempts to flee. The refugees complain of rising gang violence, a lack of jobs and schools, and little food.
The United Nations (UN) World Food Program is the main source of food aid for the refugees.
In June, it reduced the amount of monthly food aid, for the second time, to $8 (IDR 124 thousand) per person per month. The agency blamed lack of donor support for the cuts.
Additionally, the Rohingya are losing hope that they will be able to return safely to Myanmar where they are mostly denied citizenship.
In years past, the boats carried mostly single men and women. But the UNHCR says more families with children are now traveling together. This year nearly a third of those making the dangerous trip are children.
UNHCR spokesperson Babar Baloch explained Indonesia is the only country willing to take in the Rohingya. A 2016 presidential decision in Indonesia ordered officials to aid any boats at risk in the country’s waters and to let them land.
However, that may be starting to change. Last month, a boat that reached Aceh in Indonesia was reportedly pushed back out to sea twice. On the third try, it made it to land.
Bangladesh Labrak Myanmar soal Rohingya
Bangladesh memprotes tindakan Myanmar yang melabeli etnis Rohingya sebagai “orang Bengali”, kelompok etnis utama di negara tersebut. Ternyata begini ceritanya.
