Monitoring Desk
GENEVA: Indonesian local authorities and fishing crews who took part in rescuing over 200 people adrift at sea, were hailed on Tuesday by the UN refugee agency for their “act of humanity”.
UNHCR said that two groups of survivors had been brought to shore off the coast of northwest Indonesia. The UN agency said that they are now safe in Indonesia. Ann Maymann, UNHCR representative in Indonesia said that they lauded this act of humanity by locals in Indonesia”.
The UNHCR representative said that the actions assist to rescue human lives from certain death, ending agonizing ordeals for many desperate persons. Immediate medical care has been given to treat survivors for dehydration and exhaustion. The survivors said that the dire conditions onboard triggered the deaths of 26 persons at sea.
UN urges countries to follow Indonesia’s example
UNHCR, humanitarian partner staff, and local authorities are caring for those brought on shore. The UN agency said that many need urgent medical support to stabilize their condition.
More than 2,000 people have taken dangerous sea journeys in the Andaman Sea and Bay of Bengal in the current year. Many are Rohingya, who fled persecution in Myanmar for Bangladesh in 2017.
The UN Refugee agency is also making efforts to confirm reports that one boat with 180 people on board is still missing at sea. The UN agency said that all countries in the region must fulfill their legal obligations to save people to avoid further misery and deaths.
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UN said that over the past 6 weeks, Indonesia has helped to rescue 472 people from four boats.
This indicates “its commitment and respect of basic humanitarian principles for people who face persecution and conflict”, UNHCR added. Many others did not act despite numerous appeals for help”, mourned the UN refugee agency, asking other countries in the region to follow Indonesia’s example.
