107 Rohingya Immigrants Still Abandoned In The Hall Of The Camat's Office In Bireuen

Documentation - Rohingya immigrants rest at the village hall of Alue Buya Pasie, Jangka, Bireuen Regency, Ace/ Antara

ACEH - A total of 107 Rohingya immigrants still occupy the multipurpose hall of the Term District Head Office, Bireuen Regency, Aceh, because there is no certainty when they will be relocated to Pekanbaru, Riau.

"The remaining 107 Rohingya immigrants are still adrift in the hall of the Term District Head Office waiting to be moved to a refugee location in Pekanbaru, Riau," said the sub-district head of Jangka Alfian who was contacted from Lhokseumawe, reported by Antara, Tuesday, April 19.

Alfian said his party had asked about the relocation of Rohingya immigrants to the International Organization for Migration (IOM). The IOM responded that it was possible that the Rohingya immigrants would be moved to Pekanbaru after Idul Fitri.

Alfian said the current condition of the Rohingya refugees in emergency shelter locations is very concerning. Moreover, they have to gather under one roof between men and women.

"These refugees live under the same roof between men and women in the sub-district office hall. They are only limited by cloth restrictions. Conditions like this are unethical in the month of Ramadan. Moreover, Aceh Province is an Islamic law area," said Alfian.

He regretted the delay in moving the Rohingya refugees to Pekanbaru. Even though at that time, his party had prepared the bus and had refueled.

"Information from the IOM, the delay in the transfer of Rohingya residents was due to the absence of an official letter of acceptance of refugees from the Pekanbaru City Government, resulting in the transfer being unable to take place," said Alfian.

Meanwhile, IOM Head of Mission in Indonesia Louis Hoffmann said his party had been working with partners to provide basic and essential assistance since the landing of Rohingya immigrant groups in Aceh.

"We have also worked with the Government of Indonesia, both at the local and national level to support the plan to move this group to a more sustainable condition," said Louis Hoffmann.

He said IOM and UNHCR are ready to support the immediate transfer of these Rohingya refugees from Bireuen to Pekanbaru. Based on previous discussions with various parties, preparations for the transfer have been finalized, as have the accommodation requirements.

"Currently, we are still waiting for the final approval from the Pekanbaru City Government. If this ratification comes out, then the Rohingya immigrants can only be moved from Bireuen," said Louis Hoffmann.