AhlulBayt News Agency: Concerns are mounting for a group of approximately 185 Rohingya refugees, predominantly women and children, believed to be stranded at sea in the Indian Ocean after their boat's engine failed during their journey from Bangladesh.
The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) issued an urgent plea on Saturday, highlighting the critical need for rescue near the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
These Rohingya refugees were escaping overcrowded camps in Bangladesh, where they sought refuge after fleeing persecution in Myanmar. The Rohingya crisis in Myanmar, which saw over 750,000 Rohingya forced to leave their homes in 2017 due to a military crackdown, has garnered international condemnation, with the United States accusing the military of genocide against the Rohingya people.
Tragically, at least one passenger has already lost their life on the distressed boat, and a dozen more are reported to be in "critical condition," according to the UNHCR.
The agency issued a stark warning, stating, "Many more could die under the watch of numerous coastal states without timely rescue and disembarkation to the nearest place of safety. It is really a desperate situation."
The perilous sea journey undertaken by Rohingya refugees is not uncommon, with thousands attempting to reach Malaysia or Indonesia from Myanmar and refugee camps in Bangladesh each year. In 2022 alone, more than 2,000 Rohingya are believed to have tried this risky journey, as reported by the UNHCR.
The situation is exacerbated by the fact that, since last year, over 570 people, including Rohingya refugees, have been reported dead or missing at sea in the region.
The UNHCR stressed that a more significant tragedy could be averted with timely rescue efforts. The agency emphasized the importance of regional states deploying their full search and rescue capacities to prevent such human disasters on this scale.
As the urgency of the situation intensifies, the international community is called upon to unite in efforts to ensure the safety and well-being of these stranded Rohingya refugees, highlighting the ongoing challenges faced by one of the world's most persecuted minorities.
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The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) issued an urgent plea on Saturday, highlighting the critical need for rescue near the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
These Rohingya refugees were escaping overcrowded camps in Bangladesh, where they sought refuge after fleeing persecution in Myanmar. The Rohingya crisis in Myanmar, which saw over 750,000 Rohingya forced to leave their homes in 2017 due to a military crackdown, has garnered international condemnation, with the United States accusing the military of genocide against the Rohingya people.
Tragically, at least one passenger has already lost their life on the distressed boat, and a dozen more are reported to be in "critical condition," according to the UNHCR.
The agency issued a stark warning, stating, "Many more could die under the watch of numerous coastal states without timely rescue and disembarkation to the nearest place of safety. It is really a desperate situation."
The perilous sea journey undertaken by Rohingya refugees is not uncommon, with thousands attempting to reach Malaysia or Indonesia from Myanmar and refugee camps in Bangladesh each year. In 2022 alone, more than 2,000 Rohingya are believed to have tried this risky journey, as reported by the UNHCR.
The situation is exacerbated by the fact that, since last year, over 570 people, including Rohingya refugees, have been reported dead or missing at sea in the region.
The UNHCR stressed that a more significant tragedy could be averted with timely rescue efforts. The agency emphasized the importance of regional states deploying their full search and rescue capacities to prevent such human disasters on this scale.
As the urgency of the situation intensifies, the international community is called upon to unite in efforts to ensure the safety and well-being of these stranded Rohingya refugees, highlighting the ongoing challenges faced by one of the world's most persecuted minorities.
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