"No person should have to make a dangerous journey in search of a better life" says Save the Children after boat carrying Rohingya capsizes off coast of Indonesia

Children drew some boats on the wall of a room in the Rohingya camp in Aceh, Indonesia. March 07, 2024. Purba Wirastama / Save the Children

Jakarta, 20 March – Save the Children is calling for urgent action by regional governments to honour their international commitments and facilitate safe landings for Rohingya refugee boats, following yet another boat capsize off the coast of Indonesia.

A wooden boat carrying dozens of Rohingya refugees reportedly capsized about 16 miles (25 Kilometers) from the coastline of Kuala Bubon beach in Indonesia’s northernmost province of Aceh today, with local fisherman rescuing some of the survivors. There were no immediate reports of casualties.

Dessy Kurwiany Ukar, interim CEO of Save the Children Indonesia, said:

“We are dismayed and devastated to hear of yet another disaster off the coast of Indonesia, where a boat carrying dozens of Rohinyga refugees is reported to have capsized.

“While it is not immediately clear if children were among those on the boat, no person should have to make a dangerous and potentially fatal journey in search of a better life. Indonesia’s government should continue to allow boats to disembark and provide ongoing support to Rohingya refugees, but other countries across the region should also share the responsibility of protecting and assisting the Rohingya, including children."

ENDS

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