Wednesday night, June 24, 2020, 94 Rohingya refugees from Rakhine State, Myanmar was adrift about six miles from Syamtalira Bayu District, North Aceh. The group consisting of 15 men, 49 women, and 30 children were forcibly evacuated by fishermen from the middle of the sea as their boats were damaged, dozens of people were sick, thirsty, and hungry. Sobs broke out when they were rescued.

The group is part of the hundreds of Rohingya refugees who have previously arrived with a majority of them are women and children, wish there is hope for protection and a better life.

For the Indonesian government, the decision to accept them is dilemmatic, as the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic continues, they need to be more cautious, but abandoned them against humanity.

Most of the refugees already held document from United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), which mean they eligible a right to get protection under the UNHCR.

Provincial administration and some national and foreign agencies provide decent temporary shelter, clothes, and foods also a place of worship and health service, as for the children they were assisted to receive psychological treatment.

Not only a basic need, but the government also accommodates them to have some skills like sewing, knitting, cosmetology, how to play a musical instrument while they stay at the shelter.

Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi strictly said that as an act of humanity, Indonesia decided to welcome the Rohingya refugees to stay temporarily in Aceh, indeed our priority is to help them to get back to Rakhine safe and sound. Therefore, she wishes the condition in Rakhine immediately be conducive for the Rohingya to stay.

'Main priority is to bring them back to where the Rohingya belong which is the Rakhine state, Myanmar, in safe, voluntarily, and dignified,' said Retno.

Photos and text: Rahmad

Editor: Prasetyo Utomo