Indonesian Gov`t Sends Humanitarian Aid to Rohingya People

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Indonesian government has sent humanitarian aid for Rohingya Muslims in Myanmar. President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo said that humanitarian relief was collected from Indonesian people, business owners and the government. “This morning, some 10 containers [of humanitarian aid] were sent to Rakhine State,” the President said today at Tanjung Priok Port, Jakarta.

The humanitarian aid includes instant noodles, baby food and sarongs. According to President Jokowi, the humanitarian aid was requested by the Rohingya Muslims. “The items were requested after [Indonesian] Foreign Minister held talks with the Myanmar government,” he said.

As previously reported, tensions in Rakhine State on October 9 have resulted in 10,000-20,000 more refugees. Data from the UNHCR show that roughly 32,000 Muslim refugees in Myanmar are sheltered in two refugee camps in Bangladesh. In addition, the UNHCR estimates that around 200,000 unrecorded refugees currently live in the borders between Bangladesh and Myanmar.

President Jokowi said that the Indonesian government has taken diplomatic measures on Rohingya refugees. He said that he has instructed the Foreign Ministry to meet the Myanmar government. The President has asked the Myanmar government to open its borders to meet the needs of Rohingya people. “We have underlined the need to uphold human rights and respect Muslim communities,” he said.

Moreover, the government hopes that the refugees would appreciate the humanitarian assistance. “I’m hopeful that humanity and peace will prevail in Rakhine State,” President Jokowi said.

ADITYA BUDIMAN