Staff Reporter :
The UN Refugee Agency has urged states to prioritise life-saving measures for hundreds of stateless Rohingya seeking safety in various countries, including Bangladesh.
The UNHCR issued this call amidst an ongoing exodus of Rohingya fleeing conflict-ridden Myanmar in search of refuge in neighbouring countries. According to the UN body, 460 men, women, and children have recently arrived by boat in the region, including Malaysia (196 people on 3 January) and Indonesia (264 people on 5 January), following weeks at sea. Tragically, ten people reportedly lost their lives during these perilous journeys. Just three weeks earlier, another 115 Rohingya reached Sri Lanka, having lost six individuals at sea.
“Saving lives must be the first priority,” said Hai Kyung Jun, Director of UNHCR’s Regional Bureau for Asia and the Pacific, in a statement on Wednesday.
“We appreciate the steps taken by governments in the region to receive these vulnerable people who have fled violence and persecution in their homeland and survived long days at sea with minimal food and water. We stand ready to provide support to governments and local initiatives to assist them,” she added.
The influx of arrivals coincides with the peak of the “sailing season,” characterised by calmer seas between monsoon periods, following intensified conflict in Myanmar.
In 2024, more than 7,800 Rohingya attempted to flee by boat-a significant 80 per cent increase compared to 2023. Over 650 people were reported dead or missing during these journeys, making this one of the world’s most dangerous routes.
Children comprised 44 per cent of all passengers, an increase from 37 per cent in 2023, while the proportion of women rose to nearly a third. Notably, thousands of individuals risked their lives crossing the Naf River into Bangladesh during the rainy season, driven by desperation.
Additionally, a growing number of Rohingya departed directly from Myanmar, contrasting with previous years when many left from refugee camps in Bangladesh. Reports of boats being pushed back to sea have also surfaced.
“While states have the legitimate right to control their borders and manage irregular movements, particularly in the context of smuggling and trafficking, such actions must ensure the rights of people seeking safety are upheld,” Jun emphasised.
“We urge all states to continue search and rescue operations and ensure that survivors receive the assistance and protection they need,” she added.
As conditions in Myanmar continue to worsen, further displacement is anticipated in the coming months.
UNHCR called for enhanced cooperation, building on frameworks established by ASEAN and the Bali Process, to address irregular maritime movements.
The agency also urged states to focus on sea rescue operations, meet humanitarian needs, and counter misinformation and hate speech targeting refugees and asylum seekers.
