Over 110 Rohingya Refugees Rescued in Indonesia

On Saturday, more than 110 Rohingya refugees, primarily women and children, were rescued off the coast of Aceh, Indonesia, after their boat nearly sank. The United Nations refugee agency confirmed that a total of 116 refugees were brought ashore, having escaped dire conditions in overcrowded camps in Bangladesh. Many locals assisted the weak and hungry refugees, although there is growing resentment towards their long-term presence due to resource strain. The Rohingya, a stateless Muslim minority from Myanmar, often undertake perilous sea journeys seeking refuge from persecution. Indonesia, which is not a signatory of the UN refugee convention, has called for international assistance amid rising arrivals, with over 2,000 Rohingya reaching its shores last year alone. This trend of Rohingya attempting to reach Indonesia is expected to continue, particularly as sea conditions improve during calmer months.