250 including Rohingyas and Bangladeshis missing after trawler sinks in Andaman Sea

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At least 250 women, men and children are missing after a trawler sinks in the Andaman Sea. The missing persons include Rohingya refugees and Bangladeshi nationals. The United Nations refugee agency UNHCR and the International Organization for Migration (IOM) expressed their deep grief in a statement mentioning the news on Tuesday.

It is learned that the trawler was heading towards Malaysia from Teknaf in south-eastern part of Bangladesh. It sank en route due to high winds, rough seas and overcrowding.

The tragic incident is a dire consequence of long-term displacement and the lack of sustainable solutions for the Rohingya, the statement said. The ongoing violence in Myanmar’s Rakhine State has dimmed the Rohingya’s hopes of a safe return home in the near future. On the other hand, humanitarian aid is decreasing. Life in refugee camps has become difficult; There is lack of education and employment.

The two international organizations say these are the reasons why people choose such dangerous voyages in hopes of safety and change of fortune. Hopes of good pay abroad and false information from traffickers tempt people to take such huge risks. This situation allows traffickers to put vulnerable people in extreme danger. The Andaman Sea has repeatedly taken the lives of people embarking on such dangerous journeys.

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UNHCR and IOM have urged the international community to strengthen their solidarity and continue funding. This will ensure life-saving assistance to the Rohingya refugees who have taken refuge in Bangladesh, as well as benefiting the Bangladeshi population hosting them.

“As Bangladesh welcomes the new year, this tragic incident reminds us of the urgent need to address the root causes of displacement in Myanmar,” the statement said. At the same time, an environment should be created so that the Rohingyas can return to their country voluntarily, safely and with dignity.

UNHCR and IOM warned in a statement that without collective action, many more lives would be lost prematurely on such a dangerous voyage.