UNHCR welcomes Indonesia's act of humanity, saving desperate human lives adrift at sea

UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, is relieved to see more than 200 desperate people being brought ashore to safety, in north-west Indonesia over the past few days. Many among them are believed to have been adrift for at least a month, without any help before being rescued.

Indonesian authorities and the local community welcomed the two groups, some 58 on Sunday and 174 - including a majority of women and children, on Monday.

“We welcome this act of humanity by local communities and authorities in Indonesia,” said Ann Maymann, UNHCR Representative in Indonesia.

“These actions help to save human lives from certain death, ending torturous ordeals for many desperate people,” she added.

Those rescued are exhausted and dehydrated after a month of being adrift in regional seas. Survivors among the 174 who arrived yesterday told UNHCR that some 26 people have died during this long journey owing to dire conditions onboard.

UNHCR is attending those brought ashore, together with local authorities and humanitarian partner staff. Many require urgent medical attention to stabilize their condition. The agency is also rushing more supplies and staff to help local communities and local authorities support those rescued.

More than 2000 desperate people are reported to have taken risky sea journeys in the Andaman Sea and the Bay of Bengal this year. Nearly 200 have reportedly died. UNHCR has also received unconfirmed reports that one additional boat with some 180 people is still missing, with all passengers presumed dead.

Indonesia has helped to save 472 people in the past six weeks from four boats, showing its commitment and respect of basic humanitarian principles for people who face persecution and conflict. UNHCR urges other States to follow this example. Many others did not act despite numerous pleas and appeals for help.

States in the region must fulfil their legal obligations by saving people on boats in distress to avoid further misery and deaths. 

For more information, please contact:

• In Bangkok, Babar Baloch, [email protected], +66 80 086 5611
• In Geneva, Eujin Byun, [email protected], +41 79 747 87 19