The number of Rohingya refugees undertaking dangerous sea journeys has surged, with children making up nearly half—44%—of those fleeing Myanmar and Bangladesh by boat in 2024, according to a new report by Save the Children. The trend shows no signs of slowing, with approximately 460 refugees already embarking on perilous voyages in early 2025.
More than 7,800 Rohingya refugees attempted such journeys last year, marking an 80% increase from 2023. Among these, 656 individuals were reported dead or missing in 2024, a sharp rise from the 416 fatalities recorded in 2023, representing the highest toll since 2014.
The voyages are often conducted on flimsy fishing boats, ill-equipped for the lengthy and treacherous journeys. Refugees frequently endure weeks at sea, facing severe shortages of food and water.

Recent Landings in Southeast Asia

On January 5, 2025, 254 Rohingya refugees, including 118 children, landed in Aceh, Indonesia. Reports indicate that 10 individuals were either missing or dead. Just two days earlier, 196 refugees arrived in Langkawi, Malaysia, where authorities detained the arrivals. Additionally, two other boats are believed to still be at sea after Malaysian authorities reportedly provided food and water before directing the boats away.
Malaysia, which does not formally recognize refugees, has a history of detaining or turning away such vessels.
Escalating Crisis in Cox’s Bazar

The Rohingya population, numbering over one million, remains largely confined to the sprawling refugee camps in Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh—the largest refugee settlement in the world. Conditions in the camps have worsened due to overcrowding, dwindling humanitarian aid, and limited access to basic services such as education and healthcare.
"Thousands of Rohingya children are risking everything, boarding unsafe boats with scarce supplies in the desperate hope for a better future," said Sultana Begum, Asia head of humanitarian policy and advocacy for Save the Children. "2025 must not be yet another year of despair for Rohingya refugees. Governments in the region must act decisively to address this escalating crisis."

Urgent Call for Regional Cooperation

Save the Children has urged regional governments to uphold international obligations by allowing refugee boats to land safely and providing legal protection to those in transit and destination countries. The organization also stressed the importance of addressing the root causes of the crisis, including the escalating conflict in Myanmar and deteriorating conditions in Bangladeshi camps.
Since 2017, Save the Children has been providing vital services in Cox’s Bazar, reaching approximately 600,000 Rohingya refugees, including over 320,000 children. The NGO has focused on child protection, education, healthcare, and basic necessities, but warns that these efforts alone cannot resolve the crisis.
"The international community must recognize the severity of this situation and act with urgency to provide solutions," Begum added. "Turning away boats or ignoring the plight of the Rohingya only exacerbates their suffering and perpetuates this ongoing humanitarian tragedy."

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