UN Agencies Commend Indonesia's Rescue of Rohingya Refugees at Sea

GENEVA - U.N. agencies have commended the Indonesian government for offering a safe haven to dozens of Rohingya refugees who have been stranded at sea for months.

Ninety Rohingya embarked on their ill-fated journey from Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh in the first week of February.  Nine refugees reportedly had died by the time their harrowing four-month odyssey came to an end last Friday.    Spokesman for the U.N. Migration Agency Paul Dillon said the boat ran into trouble almost immediately after it set sail. He said the engine broke down leaving the group adrift at sea and putting the refugees’ lives at risk. “They ran into engine trouble again near East Aceh last week. Local fishermen discovered their stranded vessel and brought them to safety. Upon disembarkation, the local government of Aceh officials immediately conducted rapid COVID-19 tests and COVID-19 vaccinations were subsequently provided to all of the arrivals," he said.