On World Humanitarian Day, Rohingya refugees stranded in Indonesia have issued a fresh appeal to the international community, urging urgent support to secure their basic rights and restore a life of dignity.
For more than two years, hundreds of Rohingya have been living in makeshift tents in camps such as Pekanbaru, without proper housing, education, or healthcare. In a statement, they described themselves as survivors of genocide by Myanmar’s military but said their ordeal has only continued in exile, where they remain trapped in insecure shelters and deprived of future opportunities.
The refugees called for immediate measures to provide decent housing, access to food, clean water, healthcare, and education, as well as legal protection and freedom of movement. They stressed that humanitarian aid must not be treated as charity but recognized as a basic human right
.
Earlier, on World Refugee Day in June, Rohingya in Indonesia had made a similar urgent appeal, warning against human trafficking and demanding international protection and access to education. Yet, their situation remains unchanged.
Humanitarian organizations have long criticized the global response as inadequate, noting that despite repeated appeals, international attention toward the Rohingya crisis has sharply declined. Indonesia, which has received waves of Rohingya arrivals by sea, has offered temporary refuge but lacks the resources and long-term policy framework to ensure their integration or security.
Observers warn that prolonged neglect risks pushing refugees further into despair and exploitation. Rights groups argue that the international community, particularly the United Nations and regional powers, must go beyond statements of concern and deliver concrete solutions, including durable resettlement options and pressure on Myanmar to guarantee safe repatriation.
“The world must not forget us,” the refugees declared, underscoring their demand for humanity, dignity, and justice values that World Humanitarian Day is meant to uphold.
BOB Post
