UN reinstates humanitarian aid to Rohingya refugees in Indonesia

The UN's migration agency, the International Organization for Migration (IOM), has reinstated its largest humanitarian assistance program for Rohingya refugees in Indonesia after previously announcing cuts due to funding constraints from the Trump administration's freeze on foreign aid. Jeff Labovitz, the IOM chief of mission in Jakarta, confirmed that there will be no further planned reductions in services for Rohingya refugees sheltering in Pekanbaru, Sumatra. The Rohingya, a largely Muslim ethnic group from Myanmar, have faced severe persecution, leading many to undertake dangerous sea journeys to escape to countries like Indonesia and Malaysia. Currently, over 2,800 Rohingya are in Indonesia, relying on UN support as they remain in legal limbo. The reinstatement of aid comes as the IOM stated that the US funding freeze had significantly impacted their operations and the support provided to this vulnerable population. The agency remains committed to assisting the Rohingya as it explores various funding options to sustain its humanitarian efforts.