In a recent incident off the coast of Indonesia, local fishermen came to the aid of 116 Rohingya refugees, primarily women and children, who were weak and hungry after their boat capsized. The refugees had set sail from the Cox Bazar refugee camp in Bangladesh with the hope of reaching Indonesia or Malaysia in search of a better life but found themselves stranded on an island in Aceh province, as noted by the local police chief, Nova Suryandaru.

According to Suryandaru, the local residents played a crucial role in assisting the refugees upon their arrival, as they appeared severely affected by hunger and dehydration. Despite the initial help provided by the community, there remains significant resistance among local inhabitants regarding the long-term settlement of these refugees.

Between February and October of this year, around 230 refugees landed in the East Aceh district, but it was noted that 173 of them chose to leave the temporary shelter on their own accord. This situation sheds light on the ongoing plight of the Rohingya people, with approximately 1 million of them residing in Bangladesh after fleeing persecution in Myanmar. Many fled a violent campaign initiated by Myanmar’s military in 2017 that led to widespread accusations of human rights violations, including mass killings and sexual violence.

The Rohingya, a predominantly Muslim minority in Myanmar, continue to face systemic discrimination, and most are stripped of citizenship rights. In response to the recent surge in Rohingya people attempting to escape overcrowded refugee camps in Bangladesh, Indonesia has called on the international community for assistance. The ongoing crisis underscores the urgent need for comprehensive solutions to address both the humanitarian needs of the Rohingya and the challenges faced by host countries.