North Sumatra Provincial Government Coordinates With UNHCR Handling Rohingya Refugees

A number of Rohingya immigrants were gathered in emergency tents after being stranded in Karang Gading Village, Labuhan Deli, Deli Serdang, North Sumatra, Monday (1/1/2024)/ANTARA/Fransico Carolio

The North Sumatra Provincial Government is coordinating with all relevant policy makers, especially with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) in handling Rohingya refugees in its area.

Assistant for Government and People's Welfare Basarin Yunus Tanjung said the North Sumatra Provincial Government held a coordination meeting on the handling of Rohingya refugees by gathering information on the whereabouts of refugees in Kwala Besar Village, Camar Karang Gading Beach, Deli Serdang.

"We have gathered information from all non-governmental organizations and institutions, as well as UN-appointed agencies such as UNHCR. This Rohingya refugee has been here for approximately five days, for emergency handling there has been food assistance and others," said Basarin Yunus Tanjung as reported by ANTARA, Friday, January 5.

He said the coordination meeting also discussed securing the location of the refugee area to anticipate the collision between the local community and the refugees.

"Security forces, the Deli Serdang Regency Government and others, jointly maintain security in the refugee area," he said.

According to him, information on developments in the evacuation area is a consideration for further handling.

"Pros and cons issues have entered, from the start we have anticipated friction between local people and refugees. There has been security from the TNI, Regency Government, later the information that will develop there will be taken into consideration for us to handle it further," he said.

UNHCR Associate Protection Oktina Hafanti said that her party will continue to support what the government is doing in handling Rohingya refugees in North Sumatra.

"In handling refugees, of course we cannot do it alone, it must be supported by the Indonesian government," said Oktina.

Based on UNHCR data, the number of Rohingya refugees who landed in Deli Serdang Regency amounted to 157 consisting of adults, children, infants and toddlers.