The United Nations is urging the Indonesian government to help more than 100 Rohingya refugees stuck on a boat near the western coast. The Rohingya are a mostly Muslim group from Myanmar who face serious persecution. Many of them take risky boat trips to get to Malaysia or Indonesia.
The boat is about six kilometers from the coast of Aceh, and a rescue ship moved closer on Monday.
“UNHCR urgently appeals to the authorities to ensure rescue at sea and safe disembarkation for this desperate group” said Faisal Rahman, a protection worker at UNHCR in Indonesia.
On Thursday, five refugees were taken off the boat for medical care. Reports say at least one refugee has died on board. Indonesia, which hasn’t signed the UN refugee convention, is calling for regional cooperation to deal with the Rohingya crisis. While many locals feel sorry for the refugees, there have been some tensions due to resource shortages.
