The United Nations has issued an urgent plea for the rescue of 185 individuals, primarily women and children, who are stranded on a distressed boat in the Indian Ocean near the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. The UNHCR refugee agency disclosed that among those onboard, 70 are children and 88 are women, with reports indicating that at least one person has already perished and several others are in critical condition. The agency has reached out to coastal authorities in the area, urging them to take immediate action to save these migrants, who are believed to be Rohingya fleeing persecution in Myanmar.
This dire situation highlights the desperation faced by thousands of Rohingya Muslims who undertake perilous sea journeys from Myanmar and refugee camps in Bangladesh each year, in search of safety in Malaysia or Indonesia. In 2022 alone, over 2,000 Rohingya have attempted this treacherous voyage, according to UNHCR. Tragically, the region has also witnessed the deaths or disappearances of more than 570 people, including Rohingya refugees, at sea since last year.
The UNHCR emphasizes that prompt efforts to save lives could prevent a larger tragedy from unfolding. They stress the need for all states in the region to deploy their search and rescue capabilities to avert such human disasters. The international community must act swiftly to ensure the safety and wellbeing of these vulnerable individuals.
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