[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ fullwidth=”on” disabled_on=”on||” admin_label=”Header Section” _builder_version=”4.6.6″ background_image=”https:\/\/www.unhcr.org\/spotlight\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/55\/2021\/01\/2020-12-Aceh-Rohingya-cropped.jpg” parallax=”on” parallax_method=”off” custom_padding=”0px|0px|0px|0px”][et_pb_fullwidth_header title=”Cast Adrift” subhead=”Year after year, Rohingya refugees risk their lives on smugglers\u2019 boats. Five survivors describe their harrowing months at sea.” header_fullscreen=”on” button_one_url=”#anchor-2″ background_overlay_color=”rgba(0,0,0,0)” content_max_width=”1000px” admin_label=”Fullwidth Header” _builder_version=”4.6.6″ title_font=”|700|||||||” title_text_align=”left” title_text_color=”#ffffff” title_font_size=”95px” title_line_height=”0.9″ content_text_color=”#ffffff” subhead_font=”|700|||||||” subhead_text_color=”#ffffff” subhead_font_size=”32px” subhead_line_height=”1.1em” background_color=”rgba(0,0,0,0)” custom_button_one=”on” button_one_text_color=”#0072bc” button_one_bg_color=”#faeb00″ button_one_border_color=”#faeb00″ vertical_offset=”161px” background_layout=”light” custom_padding=”0px|0px|0px|0px|false|false” title_font_size_last_edited=”off|desktop” subhead_font_size_tablet=”” subhead_font_size_phone=”26px” subhead_font_size_last_edited=”on|desktop” button_one_text_size__hover_enabled=”off” button_one_text_size__hover=”null” button_two_text_size__hover_enabled=”off” button_two_text_size__hover=”null” button_one_text_color__hover_enabled=”off” button_one_text_color__hover=”null” button_two_text_color__hover_enabled=”off” button_two_text_color__hover=”null” button_one_border_width__hover_enabled=”off” button_one_border_width__hover=”null” button_two_border_width__hover_enabled=”off” button_two_border_width__hover=”null” button_one_border_color__hover_enabled=”off” button_one_border_color__hover=”null” button_two_border_color__hover_enabled=”off” button_two_border_color__hover=”null” button_one_border_radius__hover_enabled=”off” button_one_border_radius__hover=”null” button_two_border_radius__hover_enabled=”off” button_two_border_radius__hover=”null” button_one_letter_spacing__hover_enabled=”off” button_one_letter_spacing__hover=”null” button_two_letter_spacing__hover_enabled=”off” button_two_letter_spacing__hover=”null” button_one_bg_color__hover_enabled=”off” button_one_bg_color__hover=”null” button_two_bg_color__hover_enabled=”off” button_two_bg_color__hover=”null”]<\/p>\n
20 January 2021<\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_fullwidth_header][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ fullwidth=”on” disabled_on=”|on|on” _builder_version=”3.22″ background_color=”#ffffff” background_position=”top_right”][et_pb_fullwidth_image src=”https:\/\/www.unhcr.org\/spotlight\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/55\/2020\/12\/2020-12-Aceh-Rohingya-9-RF2311387_2020_09_Ose_0007.jpg” alt=”A female refugee wearing a salmon-colored shawl and a pink face mask looks at the camera, with a few fellow refugees in the background.” title_text=”Indonesia. After seven month ordeal at sea, Rohingya refugees find sanctuary” admin_label=”Fullwidth Image” _builder_version=”4.6.6″]\u00a0 [\/et_pb_fullwidth_image][et_pb_fullwidth_code admin_label=”Fullwidth Code” module_class=”caption” _builder_version=”4.6.6″ horizontal_offset=”2px”] Photos by Jiro Ose 20 January 2021<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_fullwidth_header][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ custom_padding_last_edited=”on|tablet” admin_label=”Intro Section” module_id=”anchor-2″ _builder_version=”3.22″ background_color=”#f4f4f4″ custom_padding=”16px||5px|” custom_padding_tablet=”50px||5px|” custom_padding_phone=””][et_pb_row disabled_on=”on|off|off” _builder_version=”3.25″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” custom_padding=”10px||0px|”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.6.6″ _module_preset=”default”][et_pb_text admin_label=”caption” module_class=”caption” _builder_version=”4.6.6″ text_font_size=”12px” background_enable_color=”off” module_alignment=”right”]<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”3.25″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” custom_margin=”50px||50px|” custom_margin_tablet=”10px||20px|” custom_margin_phone=”” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|phone” custom_padding=”0px|0px|28px|0px”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”3.25″ custom_padding=”|||” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_divider color=”#424242″ _builder_version=”3.2″ custom_margin_tablet=”” custom_margin_phone=”” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|desktop” custom_padding=”|0px||0px”]\u00a0 [\/et_pb_divider][et_pb_text admin_label=”PullIntro” module_class=”pullintro” _builder_version=”4.6.6″ text_font_size=”26px” custom_margin=”|50px||50px” custom_margin_tablet=”” custom_margin_phone=”|0px||0px” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|desktop” custom_padding=”|0px|23px|0px” text_font_size_tablet=”19″ text_font_size_phone=”” text_font_size_last_edited=”on|phone”]<\/p>\n Back in March, these hundreds of men, women and children had crammed onto a boat after paying smugglers for a voyage they were told would last a week. They had already fled violence and persecution in their homeland, Myanmar, where some three years before many had lost family members, suffered sexual assault and seen their villages razed.<\/p>\n In Bangladesh they had found sanctuary but had little ability to determine their own futures. Their determination has proved critical to the humanitarian response in Bangladesh. They have dug trenches and fortified shelters for monsoon preparedness, visited neighbours to share information on COVID-19 and much more. Yet they lived in harsh conditions in overcrowded camps in Kutupalong, without opportunities for formal education, permission to work or move about freely.<\/p>\n Like so many others in the camps, the overwhelmingly young refugees who boarded boats in desperation longed for more. Many young men went in search of jobs. The young women mostly went to enter marriages. Some went, despite the risks, to reunite with family. They all yearned for a safe place where they could take charge of their lives.[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_divider color=”#424242″ _builder_version=”3.2″ height=”35px” custom_margin=”|0px||0px” custom_margin_tablet=”” custom_margin_phone=”” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|phone” custom_padding=”|0px||0px”]\u00a0 [\/et_pb_divider][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ custom_padding_last_edited=”on|phone” disabled_on=”off|off|” admin_label=”Map Section – first tile” module_class=”ds-advent-25-section nomobilebackground containedbkg leftbkg” _builder_version=”4.6.6″ background_color=”#339ed2″ background_image=”https:\/\/www.unhcr.org\/spotlight\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/55\/2021\/01\/01_01_Andaman-Sea_Desktop.png” parallax=”on” parallax_method=”off” custom_margin=”0px||0px|” custom_margin_tablet=”” custom_margin_phone=”” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|phone” custom_padding=”57.1875px|0px|65px|0px” custom_padding_tablet=”” custom_padding_phone=”20px|0px|20px|0px” background_last_edited=”off|phone” background_enable_image_phone=”off” collapsed=”off”][et_pb_row use_custom_gutter=”on” gutter_width=”1″ disabled_on=”|off|on” module_class=” et_pb_row_fullwidth” _builder_version=”3.25″ width=”100%” width_tablet=”100%” width_phone=”” width_last_edited=”on|desktop” max_width=”100%” max_width_tablet=”100%” max_width_phone=”” max_width_last_edited=”on|desktop” custom_padding=”0px|0px|0px|0px” make_fullwidth=”on” collapsed=”off”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”3.25″ custom_padding=”|||” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/www.unhcr.org\/spotlight\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/55\/2021\/01\/02_01_Andaman-Sea_Mobile.png” title_text=”02_01_Andaman Sea_Mobile” show_bottom_space=”off” src_phone=”https:\/\/www.unhcr.org\/spotlight\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/55\/2020\/12\/02_01_Andaman-Sea_Mobile-1.png” src_last_edited=”off|desktop” show_bottom_space_tablet=”” show_bottom_space_phone=”” show_bottom_space_last_edited=”on|desktop” align_tablet=”center” align_phone=”left” align_last_edited=”on|desktop” admin_label=”Map Image (Mobile)” _builder_version=”4.6.6″ module_alignment=”left” custom_margin=”0px|0px|0px|0px|false|false” custom_padding=”0px|0px|0px|0px|false|false” module_alignment_tablet=”” module_alignment_phone=”” module_alignment_last_edited=”on|desktop”]\u00a0 [\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_2,1_2″ _builder_version=”4.6.6″ custom_padding=”0px|0px|30px|0px” collapsed=”off”][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”3.25″ custom_padding=”||75px|” custom_padding_tablet=”” custom_padding_phone=”” custom_padding_last_edited=”on|phone” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”4.6.6″ background_color=”rgba(255,255,255,0.85)” custom_padding=”50px|50px|50px|50px|false|false” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_text disabled_on=”off||” admin_label=”Map Text 1″ module_class=”pull22″ _builder_version=”4.6.6″ custom_margin=”25px|0px|0px|” custom_margin_tablet=”” custom_margin_phone=”0px|0px|0px|0px” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|phone” custom_padding=”0px|0px|30px||false|false” animation_style=”fade” animation_duration=”1450ms”]<\/p>\n But the voyage became a nightmare. The crew beat and even stabbed passengers who complained. Some members of the crew sexually assaulted or raped female passengers.<\/p>\n As the days turned into weeks and then months, the lack of food and drinking water took a heavy toll. Passengers grew feverish. Their bodies swelled \u2013 a symptom of the beri beri vitamin deficiency from which dozens aboard are presumed to have died.<\/p>\n The refugees begged to go ashore, but the crew ignored their wishes.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ custom_padding_last_edited=”on|phone” disabled_on=”off|off|” admin_label=”Map Section – second tile” module_class=”ds-advent-25-section nomobilebackground containedbkg leftbkg” _builder_version=”4.6.6″ background_color=”#339ed2″ background_image=”https:\/\/www.unhcr.org\/spotlight\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/55\/2021\/01\/01_02_Andaman-Sea_Desktop.png” parallax=”on” parallax_method=”off” custom_margin=”0px||0px|” custom_margin_tablet=”” custom_margin_phone=”” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|phone” custom_padding=”57.1875px|0px|65px|0px” custom_padding_tablet=”” custom_padding_phone=”20px|0px|20px|0px” background_last_edited=”off|phone” background_enable_image_phone=”off” collapsed=”off”][et_pb_row use_custom_gutter=”on” gutter_width=”1″ disabled_on=”|off|on” module_class=” et_pb_row_fullwidth” _builder_version=”4.6.6″ width=”100%” width_tablet=”100%” width_phone=”” width_last_edited=”on|desktop” max_width=”100%” max_width_tablet=”100%” max_width_phone=”” max_width_last_edited=”on|desktop” custom_padding=”0px|0px|0px|0px” make_fullwidth=”on”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”3.25″ custom_padding=”|||” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/www.unhcr.org\/spotlight\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/55\/2021\/01\/02_02_Andaman-Sea_Mobile.png” title_text=”02_02_Andaman Sea_Mobile” show_bottom_space=”off” src_phone=”https:\/\/www.unhcr.org\/spotlight\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/55\/2020\/12\/02_02_Andaman-Sea_Mobile.png” src_last_edited=”off|desktop” align_tablet=”center” align_phone=”” align_last_edited=”on|desktop” admin_label=”Map Image 2 (Mobile)” _builder_version=”4.6.6″]\u00a0 [\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_2,1_2″ _builder_version=”4.6.6″ custom_padding=”0px|0px|30px|0px”][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”3.25″ custom_padding=”||75px|” custom_padding_tablet=”” custom_padding_phone=”” custom_padding_last_edited=”on|phone” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”4.6.6″ background_color=”rgba(255,255,255,0.85)” custom_padding=”50px|50px|50px|50px|false|false” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_text admin_label=”Map Text 2″ module_class=”pull22″ _builder_version=”4.6.6″ custom_margin=”25px|0px|0px|” custom_margin_tablet=”” custom_margin_phone=”25px|0px|0px|0px” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|phone” custom_padding=”|0px|50px|” animation_style=”fade” animation_duration=”1450ms”]<\/p>\n Eventually the crew pushed the starving passengers onto a smaller boat, where they sat jammed together. At least 30 people had died. And still they drifted.<\/span><\/p>\n Finally, on 7 September 2020, they landed on the northern coast of Aceh, Indonesia. A third of the survivors had to be hospitalized. Three of them died within days of coming ashore.<\/span><\/p>\n Meet five survivors who told us why they risked their lives and described the harrowing journey.<\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ custom_padding_last_edited=”on|tablet” disabled_on=”on|on|off” admin_label=”Profile Section” module_id=”anchor-6″ module_class=”ds-advent-25-section nomobilebackground” _builder_version=”4.6.6″ background_image=”https:\/\/www.unhcr.org\/spotlight\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/55\/2020\/12\/2020-12-Aceh-Haraysa-RF2311371_2020_09_22_Ose_0003.jpg” parallax=”on” parallax_method=”off” custom_padding=”|0px||0px” custom_padding_tablet=”0px|0px|0px|0px” custom_padding_phone=”” hover_transition_duration=”0ms”][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ custom_padding_last_edited=”on|tablet” admin_label=”Profile Section” module_id=”anchor-6″ module_class=”ds-advent-25-section nomobilebackground” _builder_version=”4.6.6″ background_image=”https:\/\/www.unhcr.org\/spotlight\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/55\/2020\/12\/2020-12-Aceh-Haraysa-RF2311371_2020_09_22_Ose_0003.jpg” parallax=”on” parallax_method=”off” custom_padding=”|0px||0px” custom_padding_tablet=”0px|0px|0px|0px” custom_padding_phone=”” hover_transition_duration=”0ms”][et_pb_row use_custom_gutter=”on” gutter_width=”1″ disabled_on=”|off|on” module_class=” et_pb_row_fullwidth” _builder_version=”3.25″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” width=”100%” width_tablet=”100%” width_phone=”” width_last_edited=”on|desktop” max_width=”100%” max_width_tablet=”100%” max_width_phone=”” max_width_last_edited=”on|desktop” custom_padding=”0px|0px|0px|0px” make_fullwidth=”on”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”3.25″ custom_padding=”|||” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/www.unhcr.org\/spotlight\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/55\/2020\/12\/2020-12-Aceh-Haraysa-RF2311371_2020_09_22_Ose_0003.jpg” title_text=”Indonesia. After seven month ordeal at sea, Rohingya refugees find sanctuary” show_bottom_space=”off” align=”right” force_fullwidth=”on” align_tablet=”center” align_phone=”” align_last_edited=”on|desktop” disabled_on=”||on” admin_label=”Image – Haresa Bibi” _builder_version=”4.6.6″]\u00a0 [\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_2,1_2″ _builder_version=”3.25″ animation_style=”fade” animation_duration=”1200ms”][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”3.25″ custom_padding=”|||” custom_padding_tablet=”” custom_padding_phone=”0px|0px|0px|0px” custom_padding_last_edited=”on|desktop” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ module_class=”coltextpadding” _builder_version=”3.25″ background_color=”rgba(255,255,255,0.85)” custom_padding=”50px|50px|50px|50px” custom_padding_tablet=”” custom_padding_phone=”0px|0px|20px|0px” custom_padding_last_edited=”on|phone” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.6.6″ custom_margin=”0px|0px||” custom_margin_tablet=”” custom_margin_phone=”20px|||0px” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|desktop” custom_padding=”0px|0px||”]<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_divider color=”#000000″ _builder_version=”3.17.6″ custom_margin_phone=”|||0px” custom_margin_last_edited=”off|desktop”]\u00a0 [\/et_pb_divider][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.6.6″ custom_margin_tablet=”” custom_margin_phone=”|||0px” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|desktop”]<\/p>\n Two years ago, Haresa married a man over the phone. She and her fianc\u00e9 joined a ceremony remotely, a practice that has become common among Rohingya refugees during the past year. She left Bangladesh to join her new husband in Malaysia. She counted six full moons at sea.<\/span><\/p>\n During their second month on the boat, her aunt died. After four months, her brother perished. And two days after they reached Aceh, she lost her sister.<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cTwo months before landing, my sister started suffering from swelling and was also vomiting blood,\u201d Haresa said. \u201cShe prayed to Allah to please not take her away, not to take her soul while she was on board. She didn\u2019t want her body thrown into the sea.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n Haresa told UNHCR she was the unluckiest of all those who survived.<\/p>\n \u201cAmong five or six hundred people, three of us siblings got on board. And two of my siblings passed away. I’m alone,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ custom_padding_last_edited=”on|tablet” disabled_on=”on|on|off” admin_label=”Profile Section” module_id=”anchor-6″ module_class=”ds-advent-25-section nomobilebackground” _builder_version=”4.6.6″ background_image=”https:\/\/www.unhcr.org\/spotlight\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/55\/2021\/01\/2020-12-Aceh-Begum-cropped.jpg” parallax=”on” parallax_method=”off” custom_padding=”|0px||0px” custom_padding_tablet=”0px|0px|0px|0px” custom_padding_phone=””][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ custom_padding_last_edited=”on|tablet” admin_label=”Profile Section” module_id=”anchor-6″ module_class=”ds-advent-25-section nomobilebackground” _builder_version=”4.6.6″ background_image=”https:\/\/www.unhcr.org\/spotlight\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/55\/2021\/01\/2020-12-Aceh-Begum-cropped.jpg” parallax=”on” parallax_method=”off” custom_padding=”|0px||0px” custom_padding_tablet=”0px|0px|0px|0px” custom_padding_phone=””][et_pb_row use_custom_gutter=”on” gutter_width=”1″ disabled_on=”|off|on” module_class=” et_pb_row_fullwidth” _builder_version=”3.25″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” width=”100%” width_tablet=”100%” width_phone=”” width_last_edited=”on|desktop” max_width=”100%” max_width_tablet=”100%” max_width_phone=”” max_width_last_edited=”on|desktop” custom_padding=”0px|0px|0px|0px” make_fullwidth=”on”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”3.25″ custom_padding=”|||” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/www.unhcr.org\/spotlight\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/55\/2020\/12\/2020-12-Aceh-Begum-RF2311376_2020_09_Ose_0065.jpg” title_text=”Indonesia. After seven month ordeal at sea, Rohingya refugees find sanctuary” show_bottom_space=”off” align=”right” force_fullwidth=”on” align_tablet=”center” align_phone=”” align_last_edited=”on|desktop” disabled_on=”||on” admin_label=”Image – Begum Ziya” _builder_version=”4.6.6″]\u00a0 [\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_2,1_2″ _builder_version=”3.25″ animation_style=”fade” animation_duration=”1200ms”][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”3.25″ custom_padding=”100px|0px|100px|0px” custom_padding_tablet=”” custom_padding_phone=”0px|0px|0px|0px” custom_padding_last_edited=”on|desktop” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ module_class=”coltextpadding” _builder_version=”3.25″ background_color=”rgba(255,255,255,0.85)” custom_padding=”50px|50px|50px|50px” custom_padding_tablet=”” custom_padding_phone=”0px|0px|20px|0px” custom_padding_last_edited=”on|phone” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.6.6″ custom_margin=”0px|0px||” custom_margin_tablet=”” custom_margin_phone=”20px|||0px” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|phone” custom_padding=”0px|0px||”]<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_divider color=”#000000″ _builder_version=”3.17.6″ custom_margin_phone=”|||0px” custom_margin_last_edited=”off|desktop”]\u00a0 [\/et_pb_divider][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.6.6″ custom_margin_tablet=”” custom_margin_phone=”|||0px” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|desktop”]<\/p>\n Like so many young women \u2013 and tragically, young girls too \u2013 Begum faced pressure to marry. She was living in a refugee camp in Bangladesh when her brothers told her over the phone that she would soon become a burden. At 19, she was still single, and they feared their aging parents could not afford to arrange a marriage.<\/p>\n Begum’s brothers had already left Bangladesh to build a new life in Malaysia. They told their parents to send her to live with them so they could find her a husband. She prepared for a seven-day boat journey.<\/p>\n After a couple of months on the boat, as she watched horrific scenes unfold, she felt terrified. \u201cI felt angry as well,\u201d she said. \u201cWe were in the middle of the sea. We couldn’t do anything.\u201d<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ custom_padding_last_edited=”on|tablet” disabled_on=”on|on|off” admin_label=”Profile Section” module_id=”anchor-5″ module_class=”ds-advent-25-section nomobilebackground” _builder_version=”4.6.6″ background_image=”https:\/\/www.unhcr.org\/spotlight\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/55\/2020\/12\/Aceh_RF2311339_2020_09_Ose_0026.jpg” parallax=”on” parallax_method=”off” custom_padding=”|0px||0px” custom_padding_tablet=”0px|0px|0px|0px” custom_padding_phone=””][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ custom_padding_last_edited=”on|tablet” admin_label=”Profile Section” module_id=”anchor-5″ module_class=”ds-advent-25-section nomobilebackground” _builder_version=”4.6.6″ background_image=”https:\/\/www.unhcr.org\/spotlight\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/55\/2020\/12\/Aceh_RF2311339_2020_09_Ose_0026.jpg” parallax=”on” parallax_method=”off” custom_padding=”|0px||0px” custom_padding_tablet=”0px|0px|0px|0px” custom_padding_phone=””][et_pb_row use_custom_gutter=”on” gutter_width=”1″ disabled_on=”|off|on” module_class=” et_pb_row_fullwidth” _builder_version=”3.25″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” width=”100%” width_tablet=”100%” width_phone=”” width_last_edited=”on|desktop” max_width=”100%” max_width_tablet=”100%” max_width_phone=”” max_width_last_edited=”on|desktop” custom_padding=”0px|0px|0px|0px” make_fullwidth=”on”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”3.25″ custom_padding=”|||” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/www.unhcr.org\/spotlight\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/55\/2020\/12\/Aceh_RF2311339_2020_09_Ose_0026.jpg” title_text=”Indonesia. After seven month ordeal at sea, Rohingya refugees find sanctuary” show_bottom_space=”off” force_fullwidth=”on” align_tablet=”center” align_phone=”” align_last_edited=”on|desktop” admin_label=”Image – Asmotulleh” _builder_version=”4.6.6″]\u00a0 [\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_2,1_2″ _builder_version=”4.6.6″ animation_style=”fade” animation_duration=”1200ms”][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”3.25″ background_color=”rgba(255,255,255,0.85)” custom_padding=”50px|50px|50px|50px” custom_padding_tablet=”” custom_padding_phone=”0px|0px|20px|0px” custom_padding_last_edited=”on|phone” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_text admin_label=”Text” _builder_version=”4.6.6″ custom_margin=”0px|0px||” custom_margin_tablet=”” custom_margin_phone=”20px|||0px” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|phone” custom_padding=”0px|0px||”]<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_divider color=”#000000″ _builder_version=”3.17.6″ custom_margin_tablet=”” custom_margin_phone=”|||0px” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|desktop”]\u00a0 [\/et_pb_divider][et_pb_text admin_label=”Text” _builder_version=”4.6.6″ custom_margin_tablet=”” custom_margin_phone=”|||0px” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|desktop”]<\/p>\n Asmotulleh saw no future in Bangladesh. When his sister\u2019s fianc\u00e9 in Malaysia offered to bring her there, Asmotulleh agreed to accompany her. He thought he would find a job and finally be able to support his parents and other siblings. Unable to obtain passports, he and his sister turned to smugglers.<\/span><\/p>\n The crew beat him. There was one toilet for hundreds of men. Once a month he bathed with ocean water. He saw his sister only a few moments once a week.<\/p>\n When the boat came ashore, he had no idea where he was. The locals said they were in Aceh, Indonesia. Asmotulleh did not care where he was. \u201cNobody wanted to continue at sea. So no matter the country, everybody just wanted land to set their legs on,\u201d he said. \u201cWe were so happy to see the lights.\u201d<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”3.25″ custom_padding=”|||” custom_padding_tablet=”” custom_padding_phone=”” custom_padding_last_edited=”on|desktop” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ custom_padding_last_edited=”on|tablet” disabled_on=”on|on|off” admin_label=”Profile Section” module_id=”anchor-2″ module_class=”ds-advent-25-section nomobilebackground” _builder_version=”4.6.6″ background_image=”https:\/\/www.unhcr.org\/spotlight\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/55\/2020\/12\/2020-12-Aceh-Mohammed-RF2311386_2020_09_Ose_0017.jpg” parallax=”on” parallax_method=”off” custom_margin_tablet=”” custom_margin_phone=”” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|desktop” custom_padding=”|0px||0px” custom_padding_tablet=”0px|0px|0px|0px” custom_padding_phone=””][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ custom_padding_last_edited=”on|tablet” disabled_on=”off|off|” admin_label=”Profile Section” module_id=”anchor-2″ module_class=”ds-advent-25-section nomobilebackground” _builder_version=”4.6.6″ background_image=”https:\/\/www.unhcr.org\/spotlight\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/55\/2020\/12\/2020-12-Aceh-Mohammed-RF2311386_2020_09_Ose_0017.jpg” parallax=”on” parallax_method=”off” custom_margin_tablet=”” custom_margin_phone=”” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|desktop” custom_padding=”|0px||0px” custom_padding_tablet=”0px|0px|0px|0px” custom_padding_phone=””][et_pb_row use_custom_gutter=”on” gutter_width=”1″ disabled_on=”|off|on” module_class=” et_pb_row_fullwidth” _builder_version=”3.25″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” width=”100%” width_tablet=”100%” width_phone=”” width_last_edited=”on|desktop” max_width=”100%” max_width_tablet=”100%” max_width_phone=”” max_width_last_edited=”on|desktop” custom_padding=”0px|0px|0px|0px” make_fullwidth=”on”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”3.25″ custom_padding=”|||” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/www.unhcr.org\/spotlight\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/55\/2020\/12\/2020-12-Aceh-Mohammed-RF2311386_2020_09_Ose_0017.jpg” title_text=”Indonesia. After seven month ordeal at sea, Rohingya refugees find sanctuary” show_bottom_space=”off” force_fullwidth=”on” align_tablet=”center” align_phone=”” align_last_edited=”on|desktop” disabled_on=”|off|off” admin_label=”Image – Hassan” _builder_version=”4.6.6″]\u00a0 [\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_2,1_2″ custom_padding_last_edited=”on|desktop” _builder_version=”3.25″ custom_padding_tablet=”” custom_padding_phone=”” animation_style=”fade” animation_duration=”1200ms”][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ module_class=”coltextpadding” _builder_version=”3.25″ custom_padding=”|||” custom_padding_tablet=”” custom_padding_phone=”” custom_padding_last_edited=”on|desktop” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”3.25″ background_color=”rgba(255,255,255,0.85)” custom_padding=”50px|50px|50px|50px” custom_padding_tablet=”” custom_padding_phone=”0px|0px|20px|0px” custom_padding_last_edited=”on|phone” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.6.6″ custom_margin_tablet=”” custom_margin_phone=”0px|||” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|phone” custom_padding=”20px|||”]<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_divider color=”#000000″ _builder_version=”3.17.6″ custom_margin_last_edited=”off|desktop”]\u00a0 [\/et_pb_divider][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.6.6″ custom_margin_tablet=”” custom_margin_phone=”” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|desktop”]<\/p>\n Mohammed wanted to work. But refugees did not have permission to work legally in Bangladesh, where he had lived since fleeing Myanmar with his family in 2014. And so he set out for Malaysia, where he hoped to reunite with his father. \u201cI wanted to make a life there and to earn a living,\u201d he said.<\/span><\/p>\n During the voyage, Mohammed watched people die. His body swelled and he got fevers. He marveled at a man\u00a0who got so thirsty he wrung out his own shirt to produce a few drops of sweat, which he drank. Soon he was doing the same, squeezing the salty moisture from his clothes.<\/span><\/p>\n When the boat finally landed, he was overjoyed. \u201cI was extremely happy, as if I had moved from hell to heaven. I felt like this was a second life, a life from death.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ custom_padding_last_edited=”on|tablet” disabled_on=”on|on|off” admin_label=”Profile Section” module_id=”anchor-1″ module_class=”ds-advent-25-section nomobilebackground” _builder_version=”4.6.6″ background_image=”https:\/\/www.unhcr.org\/spotlight\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/55\/2020\/12\/2020-12-Aceh-Rohingya-2-Junaida-Hafsa-RF2311392_2020_09_Ose_0010.jpg” parallax=”on” parallax_method=”off” custom_padding=”|0px||0px” custom_padding_tablet=”0px|0px|0px|0px” custom_padding_phone=””][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ custom_padding_last_edited=”on|tablet” disabled_on=”off|off|off” admin_label=”Profile Section” module_id=”anchor-1″ module_class=”ds-advent-25-section nomobilebackground” _builder_version=”4.6.6″ background_image=”https:\/\/www.unhcr.org\/spotlight\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/55\/2020\/12\/2020-12-Aceh-Rohingya-2-Junaida-Hafsa-RF2311392_2020_09_Ose_0010.jpg” parallax=”on” parallax_method=”off” custom_padding=”|0px||0px” custom_padding_tablet=”0px|0px|0px|0px” custom_padding_phone=””][et_pb_row use_custom_gutter=”on” gutter_width=”1″ disabled_on=”|off|on” module_class=” et_pb_row_fullwidth” _builder_version=”3.25″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” width=”100%” width_tablet=”100%” width_phone=”” width_last_edited=”on|desktop” max_width=”100%” max_width_tablet=”100%” max_width_phone=”” max_width_last_edited=”on|desktop” custom_padding=”0px||0px|” make_fullwidth=”on”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”3.25″ custom_padding=”|||” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/www.unhcr.org\/spotlight\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/55\/2020\/12\/2020-12-Aceh-Rohingya-2-Junaida-Hafsa-RF2311392_2020_09_Ose_0010.jpg” title_text=”Indonesia. After seven month ordeal at sea, Rohingya refugees find sanctuary” show_bottom_space=”off” align=”center” force_fullwidth=”on” align_tablet=”center” align_phone=”” align_last_edited=”on|desktop” disabled_on=”|off|off” admin_label=”Image Junaida” _builder_version=”4.6.6″]\u00a0 [\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_2,1_2″ _builder_version=”3.25″ animation_style=”fade” animation_duration=”1200ms”][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”3.25″ custom_padding=”|||” custom_padding_tablet=”” custom_padding_phone=”” custom_padding_last_edited=”on|phone” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ module_class=”coltextpadding” _builder_version=”3.25″ background_color=”rgba(255,255,255,0.85)” custom_padding=”50px|50px|50px|50px” custom_padding_tablet=”” custom_padding_phone=”0px|0px|20px|0px” custom_padding_last_edited=”on|phone” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.6.6″ custom_margin_tablet=”” custom_margin_phone=”0px|||0px” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|phone” custom_padding=”20px|||”]<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_divider color=”#000000″ _builder_version=”3.2″ custom_margin_tablet=”” custom_margin_phone=”” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|desktop”]\u00a0 [\/et_pb_divider][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.6.6″ custom_margin_tablet=”” custom_margin_phone=”|||0px” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|desktop”]<\/p>\n After fleeing to Bangladesh and then losing her mother, Junaida decided to join her sister in Malaysia. Her brother-in-law gave her a phone number to call. \u201cSomeone came with a car and \u2026 I was taken somewhere,\u201d she said. \u201cThen I got on a boat.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n Junaida recalls two more boat rides after that, and then boarding a big ship filled with strangers. As the months passed, people got sick and many died. By the time the crew forced the refugees onto a smaller boat, abandoning them,\u00a0Junaida had stopped thinking about anything but survival. They had enough food and water for three to four days. It would be 12 days before they were rescued and came ashore in Aceh.<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cWe didn’t hope for the future,\u201d she said. \u201cWe didn\u2019t know whether we would live or die. We just decided that we would try to move towards somewhere.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ admin_label=”Interstitial Section” module_id=”anchor-2″ _builder_version=”3.22″ background_color=”#f4f4f4″ custom_padding=”||5px|”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”3.25″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” custom_margin=”50px||50px|” custom_margin_tablet=”10px||20px|” custom_margin_phone=”” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|phone” custom_padding=”0px|0px|28px|0px”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”3.25″ custom_padding=”|||” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_divider color=”#424242″ _builder_version=”3.2″ custom_margin_tablet=”” custom_margin_phone=”” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|desktop” custom_padding=”|0px||0px”]\u00a0 [\/et_pb_divider][et_pb_text admin_label=”Context tile” module_class=”pullintro” _builder_version=”4.6.6″ text_font=”|600|||||||” custom_margin=”|50px||50px” custom_margin_tablet=”” custom_margin_phone=”|0px||0px” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|desktop” custom_padding=”|0px|23px|0px”]<\/p>\n In late 2017, widespread violence in Myanmar\u2019s Rakhine State forced more than 700,000 stateless Rohingya to flee their homes and seek safety in neighbouring Bangladesh. It was the largest and fastest refugee influx the world had seen in a generation.<\/p>\n Year after year, refugees and migrants pay smugglers to take them by boat from Bangladesh and Myanmar to Malaysia, a country where many know friends or relatives who have started new lives.\u00a0Many find themselves abandoned or held hostage by smugglers at sea, with smugglers often holding them ransom for higher sums of money, and governments unwilling to let them land. Some of them make it. Some die. In\u00a0May 2015, smugglers abandoned at least 5,000 people in the Bay of Bengal and Andaman Sea. Many of the passengers were Rohingya. Governments in the region initially failed to send search-and-rescue missions or to allow any of the passengers to land. Dozens died. Survivors were finally rescued and allowed to disembark after the images of Rohingya in distress at sea made the headlines around the world.<\/p>\n The following year, government ministers attending the Bali Process \u2013 a forum dedicated to curbing human trafficking, people smuggling and other crimes \u2013 pledged to ensure that such tragedies would never happen again. Some four years later, they have failed to live up to that promise.<\/p>\n Across South and Southeast Asia, many displaced Rohingya continue to live on the margins, with no access to basic health care, clean drinking water, a reliable food supply, or meaningful work and educational opportunities.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_divider color=”#424242″ _builder_version=”3.2″ height=”35px” custom_margin=”|0px||0px” custom_margin_tablet=”” custom_margin_phone=”” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|phone” custom_padding=”|0px||0px”]\u00a0 [\/et_pb_divider][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”3.22″ background_color=”#0072bc” custom_margin=”0px||0px|” custom_padding=”57.1875px|0px|25px|0px”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”3.25″ custom_margin=”0px|||”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”3.25″ custom_padding=”|||” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”3.27.4″ background_layout=”dark”]<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_3,1_3,1_3″ _builder_version=”3.25″][et_pb_column type=”1_3″ _builder_version=”3.25″ custom_padding=”|||” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_number_counter title=”Individuals” number=”866,457″ percent_sign=”off” _builder_version=”4.6.6″ title_font=”|700|||||||” title_font_size=”20″ number_text_color=”#ffffff” number_font_size=”50″ number_line_height=”65″ background_layout=”dark” title_font_size_tablet=”” title_font_size_phone=”” title_font_size_last_edited=”on|desktop” number_font_size_tablet=”” number_font_size_phone=”” number_font_size_last_edited=”on|desktop”]\u00a0 [\/et_pb_number_counter][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.6.6″ text_font=”|600|||||||” text_text_color=”#18375f” text_font_size=”8px” text_line_height=”1.4em” header_text_color=”#18375f” header_font_size=”9px” text_orientation=”center” module_alignment=”center” text_font_size_tablet=”” text_font_size_phone=”” text_font_size_last_edited=”on|phone”]<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_3″ _builder_version=”3.25″ custom_padding=”|||” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_number_counter title=”Families” number=”188,540″ percent_sign=”off” _builder_version=”4.6.6″ title_font=”|700|||||||” title_font_size=”20″ number_text_color=”#ffffff” number_font_size=”50″ number_line_height=”65px” background_layout=”dark” title_font_size_tablet=”” title_font_size_phone=”” title_font_size_last_edited=”on|desktop” number_font_size_tablet=”” number_font_size_phone=”” number_font_size_last_edited=”on|desktop”]\u00a0 [\/et_pb_number_counter][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.6.6″ text_font=”|600|||||||” text_text_color=”#18375f” text_font_size=”8px” text_line_height=”1.4em” header_text_color=”#18375f” header_font_size=”9px” text_orientation=”center” module_alignment=”center” text_font_size_tablet=”” text_font_size_phone=”” text_font_size_last_edited=”on|phone”]<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_3″ _builder_version=”3.25″ custom_padding=”|||” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_number_counter title=”Children” number=”52″ _builder_version=”4.6.6″ title_font=”|700|||||||” title_font_size=”20″ number_text_color=”#ffffff” number_font_size=”50″ number_line_height=”65″ background_layout=”dark” title_font_size_tablet=”” title_font_size_phone=”” title_font_size_last_edited=”on|phone” number_font_size_tablet=”” number_font_size_phone=”” number_font_size_last_edited=”on|desktop”]\u00a0 [\/et_pb_number_counter][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.6.6″ text_font=”|600|||||||” text_text_color=”#18375f” text_font_size=”8px” text_line_height=”1.4em” header_text_color=”#18375f” header_font_size=”9px” text_orientation=”center” module_alignment=”center” text_font_size_tablet=”” text_font_size_phone=”” text_font_size_last_edited=”on|phone”]<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ module_id=”anchor-2″ _builder_version=”3.22″ background_color=”#f4f4f4″ custom_padding=”||5px|”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”3.25″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” custom_margin=”50px||50px|” custom_margin_tablet=”10px||20px|” custom_margin_phone=”” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|phone” custom_padding=”0px|0px|28px|0px”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”3.25″ custom_padding=”|||” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_divider color=”#424242″ _builder_version=”3.2″ custom_margin_tablet=”” custom_margin_phone=”” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|desktop” custom_padding=”|0px||0px”]\u00a0 [\/et_pb_divider][et_pb_text admin_label=”Context tile” module_class=”pullintro” _builder_version=”4.6.6″ text_font=”|600|||||||” custom_margin=”|50px||50px” custom_margin_tablet=”” custom_margin_phone=”|0px||0px” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|desktop” custom_padding=”|0px|23px|0px”]<\/p>\n Since the COVID-19 pandemic began, Rohingya refugees in Cox\u2019s Bazar, Bangladesh have told UNHCR that lost income and restrictions on movement had caused more suffering. Many said they felt it was unsafe for girls, and many noted an increase in domestic violence.<\/p>\n UNHCR has worked to improve the lives of refugees living in Bangladesh, sending aid and working with the government to build infrastructure, as well as to provide clean water and improve sanitation. But the international community must support host communities and, together with refugees, search for long-term solutions. Rohingya refugees have told UNHCR they want to return to Myanmar \u2013 in peace and with dignity.<\/p>\n It is Myanmar\u2019s responsibility to make it safe for Rohingya to go home and to restore their basic rights, such as freedom of movement, as well as to offer a way for them to become citizens.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_divider color=”#424242″ _builder_version=”3.2″ height=”35px” custom_margin=”|0px||0px” custom_margin_tablet=”” custom_margin_phone=”” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|phone” custom_padding=”|0px||0px”]\u00a0 [\/et_pb_divider][et_pb_text admin_label=”HC Quote” module_class=”pullintro” _builder_version=”4.6.6″ text_font=”|600|||||||” custom_margin=”|50px||50px” custom_margin_tablet=”” custom_margin_phone=”|0px||0px” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|desktop” custom_padding=”|0px|23px|0px”]<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_divider color=”#424242″ _builder_version=”3.2″ height=”35px” custom_margin=”|0px||0px” custom_margin_tablet=”” custom_margin_phone=”” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|phone” custom_padding=”|0px||0px”]\u00a0 [\/et_pb_divider][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ custom_padding_last_edited=”on|tablet” module_id=”anchor-5″ module_class=”ds-advent-25-section nomobilebackground” _builder_version=”4.6.6″ background_image=”https:\/\/www.unhcr.org\/spotlight\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/55\/2020\/12\/2020-12-Aceh-Rohingya-8-RF2311377_2020_09_Ose_0059.jpg” parallax=”on” parallax_method=”off” custom_padding=”|0px||0px” custom_padding_tablet=”0px|0px|0px|0px” custom_padding_phone=”” animation_style=”fade” animation_starting_opacity=”20%”][et_pb_row use_custom_gutter=”on” gutter_width=”1″ disabled_on=”|off|on” module_class=” et_pb_row_fullwidth” _builder_version=”3.25″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” width=”100%” width_tablet=”100%” width_phone=”” width_last_edited=”on|desktop” max_width=”100%” max_width_tablet=”100%” max_width_phone=”” max_width_last_edited=”on|desktop” custom_padding=”0px|0px|0px|0px” make_fullwidth=”on”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”3.25″ custom_padding=”|||” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/www.unhcr.org\/spotlight\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/55\/2020\/12\/2020-12-Aceh-Rohingya-8-RF2311377_2020_09_Ose_0059.jpg” title_text=”Indonesia. 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<\/strong>Text by Sarah Schafer<\/strong><\/p>\nAfter half a year at sea, Junaida (centre) and three fellow survivors are photographed following their arrival in Aceh, Indonesia.<\/h6>\n
They had been at sea for nearly seven months.<\/h2>\n
\u201cMy sister brought only the clothes she was wearing. After four months, her shirt was thin and torn \u2026 I gave her mine<\/b>.\u201d<\/strong><\/h4>\n
\u2014Haresa Bibi, 18<\/strong><\/span><\/h4>\n<\/div>\n
\u201cPeople became anxious and frustrated, and then the boat crew started beating them. I helped wash the blood from two people\u2019s bodies<\/b>.\u201d<\/strong><\/h4>\n
\u2014Begum Ziyah, 19<\/strong><\/span><\/h4>\n<\/div>\n
\u201cWe could not move around. We had inadequate food and \u2026 we couldn\u2019t even dream of a shower. It was as if we had reached the day of judgement<\/b>.\u201d<\/strong><\/h4>\n
\u2014Asmotulleh, 21<\/strong><\/span><\/h4>\n<\/div>\n
\u201cMyanmar is my native land. If we could live there peacefully, I would prefer living in my own country.<\/b>\u201d<\/strong><\/h4>\n
\u2014Mohammed Hasan, 17<\/strong><\/span><\/h4>\n<\/div>\n
\u201cPeace would mean that I have a life. I want to live like other people.<\/strong>\u201d<\/strong><\/h4>\n
\u2014<\/strong><\/span>Junaida Hafsa, 15<\/strong><\/span><\/h4>\n<\/div>\n
Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh<\/strong><\/h2>\n
Source: Government of Bangladesh and UNHCR, 31 December 2020 <\/span><\/strong><\/h6>\n
Source: Government of Bangladesh and UNHCR, 31 December 2020<\/span><\/strong><\/h6>\n
Source: Government of Bangladesh and UNHCR, 31 December 2020<\/span><\/strong><\/h6>\n
\u201cIt is time to bring an end to this repeated devastating cycle of violence, displacement and statelessness.\u201d<\/strong><\/h3>\n
\u2013Filippo Grandi, UN\u00a0High Commissioner for Refugees<\/h4>\n
To support our work with displaced and stateless Rohingya people:<\/strong><\/span><\/h4>\n
Learn more about the refugee response in Bangladesh:<\/span><\/h4>\n