15 Rohingya In East Aceh Escape From Shelter

Immigrants from Rohingya at Leuge Beach, Pereulak District, East Aceh Regency. (ANTARA)

BANDA ACEH - The government of East Aceh Regency through the National Unity and Political Unity Agency noted that as many as 15 Rohingya immigrants fled from the temporary shelter in the soccer field of Gampong Seuneubok Rawang, East Peureulak in the last week.

"There are as many as 15 Rohingya immigrants who fled the temporary shelter. With the escape of the dozens of immigrants, now there are 365 more people in the shelter," said Head of the National Unity and Political Agency of East Aceh Regency, Iskandar, quoted by Antara, Friday, February 21.

Iskandar said that his party did not yet know who was behind the escape of Rohingya ethnic immigrants in East Aceh and did not know where the illegal immigrants were taken.

In fact, he said, security officers from the UNHCR, the international agency that handles Rohingya immigrants, are always on standby at the temporary shelter location.

Iskandar suspects the immigrant fled from the temporary shelter location after utilizing the negligence of the security officers. In addition, there is an allegation that the immigrants had escaped, who helped him.

"It's impossible for them to escape if no one helps. And we will continue to monitor the presence of the remaining Rohingya in the temporary shelter," said Iskandar.

Meanwhile, the Head of Political, Government and Security Affairs of the National Unity and Political Agency of East Aceh Regency, Syamsul Bahri, said that his party continues to coordinate with UNHCR and IOM, international institutions that handle Rohingya immigrants in temporary shelters in the soccer field.

"We also hope that all the Rohingya immigrants can be immediately transferred from temporary shelters in East Aceh Regency. Don't wait until everyone escapes," he said.

The landing wave of Rohingya immigrants has repeatedly occurred in East Aceh Regency. On November 19, 2023, it was recorded that 36 Rohingya immigrants were found in a truck.

Then, as many as 50 Rohingya immigrants landed in Seuneubok Baroh Village, Darul Aman District, on December 14, 2023. Furthermore, 131 Rohingya ethnic immigrants landed in Kuala Parek, Sungai Raya District, on February 1, 2024.

Next, as many as 93 Rohingya immigrants were found landing on the coast of Meunasah Hasan Village, Madat District, on October 31, 2024. A total of 116 Rohingya ethnic immigrants were stranded in Kuala Ujung Perling, Paya Peulawi Village, Bireuem Bayeun District, on November 30, 2024.

And on January 5, 2025, as many as 264 Rohingya immigrants landed on the coast of Alue Bu Tuha Beach, West Pereulak District, and as many as 76 landed at Leuge Beach, Peureulak District, on January 30, 2025.

By the local government, hundreds of Rohingya immigrants were placed in temporary shelters in the Gampong Seuneubok Rawang field, East Peureulak District.