120 Ethnic Rohingya Crowded In One Boat Evacuated To Mainland Aceh

BANDA ACEH - As many as 120 ethnic Rohingya who had been tossed about for several days in the middle of the Aceh sea, were finally evacuated to the mainland via Asean Harbor, Kreueng Geukeuh, North Aceh Regency, Thursday night.

Protection Associate of UNHCR Oktina appreciates the Indonesian government and the regions that have pulled the motor boat containing the Rohingya refugees to the mainland of the "Tanah Rencong" area.

"So what we have to think about now is the safety of their souls because they have been drifting in the ocean for a long time," he said, quoted by Antara, Thursday, December 30.

The motor boat carrying the Rohingya was damaged, so it docked at the Asean Harbor, Kreung Gekeuh at around 23:58 WIB, by being towed by KRI Parang-647 belonging to the Indonesian Navy from the high seas.

When they landed, the refugees, the majority of whom were women and children, were weak and cold, due to the rain.

After getting off the ship, they immediately followed a series of health checks to anticipate the spread of COVID-19, before being evacuated to temporary shelters.

"Initial information is still around 120 people, later we will see and will do the recount as usual," he said.

The plan, said Oktina, is that the Rohingya refugees will be taken to a temporary shelter at the Lhokseumawe Work Training Center (BLK).

"In BLK everything is ready, with clean water to proper beds. They will follow quarantine according to health protocols for 14 days," he said.

The arrival of the Rohingya was welcomed by the UN Agency for Refugee Affairs (UNHCR) IOM, Lhoksuemawe Naval Base, Kodim 01/03 North Aceh, Lhokseumawe Police, Lhokseumawe Port Health Office (KKP), Lhokseumawe Syahbandar, Indonesian Red Cross (PMI), Tim SAR, North Aceh BPBD, and several other elements.

The Indonesian Navy through its element, KRI Parang-647, pulled a Rohingya refugee boat carrying more than 100 people from the point found at 53 NM Bireuen, Aceh waters to Krueng Geukeuh Harbor.

The location of this port was chosen considering the need for anchorage facilities, sterilization of locations for health checks and enforcement of procedures so that there are no crowds that can interfere with the health check process and are closer to the quarantine area.

The Chief of Naval Staff (Kasal) Admiral TNI Yudo Margono has ordered his elements and soldiers to carry out the withdrawal after there is a decision from the government on humanitarian grounds.

Head of the Naval Information Service (Kadispenal) First Admiral Julius Widjojono in a press release said the withdrawal had been carried out since 06.00 WIB after conditions were bright and safe for the process of tying and pulling ships in the middle of the high seas.

The Indonesian government in the name of humanity decided to accommodate Rohingya refugees floating on a boat in the ocean near Bireuen Regency.

"This decision was made after considering the emergency conditions experienced by the refugees on the ship," said Deputy for Coordination of Security and Public Order at the Coordinating Ministry for Political, Legal and Security Affairs Inspector General Armed Wijaya.