ACEH, RAKYAT NEWS – On the morning of November 30, 2024, 116 ethnic Rohingya migrants were stranded in Kuala Ujung Perling, a coastal area in the Paya Peulawi Village, Bireuen Bayeun District, East Aceh, after the motorboat they were on capsized.

The incident occurred around 3 a.m. local time. According to Syamsul Bahri, the Head of the Politics, Government, and Security Division at the East Aceh Regional Office of the Ministry of Home Affairs, local fishermen rescued the migrants after the boat was damaged and nearly sank.

The stranded group consists of 32 men, 46 women, 15 boys, and 23 girls. They are currently being processed and registered by authorities. Kuala Ujung Perling is located approximately three hours away by a fishing boat from Paya Peulawi Village. The migrants’ arrival has prompted local authorities to take swift action to ensure their safety and well-being.

Syamsul further explained that the migrants were rescued by local fishermen, who discovered the boat in distress. It is suspected that the vessel experienced technical issues, which led to the near-capsizing of the boat. While the migrants were fortunate to be saved, their uncertain journey has raised concerns among local officials about the conditions faced by the Rohingya refugees.

In addition to the group in Kuala Ujung Perling, there are currently 47 other Rohingya migrants being sheltered at Seunebok Rawang Football Field in Peureulak Timur District. These individuals are part of a larger group of 230 who had arrived in East Aceh earlier this year, with some reaching the area in early February and others in late October 2024.

However, the situation has been complicated by the fact that 173 of the original 230 Rohingya migrants have fled the temporary shelters. Ten others were relocated to Makassar, South Sulawesi, and some were moved to a shelter in Pidie District. These numbers highlight the challenges local authorities face in managing the influx of refugees and providing adequate support.

Syamsul emphasized that the Rohingya migrants are under the care of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and are receiving assistance from the International Organization for Migration (IOM) for their basic needs, including food. Despite this, the temporary shelters in which the migrants are currently housed are not ideal, as they are located in open fields, and the authorities are calling for more appropriate accommodation.

The East Aceh government has expressed concern over the current living conditions of the migrants, with local officials hoping for a more permanent and suitable relocation. “We hope the migrants can be moved to more appropriate shelters as the current temporary accommodations are not ideal,” said Syamsul. He added that the local government and international organizations are working together to address the situation and ensure the safety and dignity of the refugees.

The recent surge of Rohingya migrants in Aceh is part of a larger pattern of migration, as many Rohingya refugees continue to flee persecution in Myanmar. The situation in Aceh has drawn attention to the ongoing refugee crisis in Southeast Asia, with local authorities, the Indonesian government, and international bodies continuing to explore ways to manage the complex humanitarian challenges posed by such migrations. (Uki Ruknuddin)

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