Afghanistan to Myanmar: These are the Countries of Origin of the Most Refugees in Indonesia

The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) recorded 12,097 refugees in Indonesia in July 2023. Adults comprised 73% of the total refugee population, while children accounted for 27%.

Of the total adult population, 27% were women and 73% were men.

Based on country of origin, Afghanistan had the highest number of refugees in Indonesia as of July 2023, reaching 6,572 individuals or 54.32% of the total refugees recorded by UNHCR in Indonesia.

Somalia was second with 1,248 refugees, followed by Myanmar with 879 refugees.

Between January and March 2023, UNHCR reported four boats landing in several locations in Aceh, carrying a total of 457 Rohingya (Myanmar) refugees. Additionally, 21 Rohingya refugees arrived in Dumai, Riau Province.

Of the 3,268 registered refugee children in Indonesia, 43 were unaccompanied by parents or other adult relatives, and 41 were separated from their parents.

“Many of them (refugees) are unaccompanied children, single women with children, and people with specific needs,” stated UNHCR in its report.

Hundreds of Rohingya Immigrants Land Again

Most recently, 249 Rohingya immigrants landed on the coast of Aceh, in the Lapang Barat fishing area, Gandapura District, Bireuen Regency, Aceh, as reported by Antara on Sunday, November 19, 2023.

Gandapura Sub-district Head Azmi stated that the arrival of these refugees has been temporarily handled. He mentioned that local residents provided assistance, including food and clothing.

"However, the local community there is still rejecting them, and we have also coordinated with UNHCR regarding the arrival of these Rohingya immigrants," said Azmi, as reported by Antara on Sunday, November 19, 2023.

According to received information, these immigrants were initially rejected by the community in Jangka, Bireuen, before landing in North Aceh.

They were again rejected by the North Aceh community, and the boat carrying the refugees was pushed back out to sea. Finally, the Rohingya immigrants landed in the Lapang Barat area of Bireuen.

In addition to the 249 refugees in Bireuen, 220 Rohingya immigrants landed on the coast of Gampong Kulee, Batee District, Pidie Regency, Aceh. However, there has been no special handling yet.

Furthermore, 35 Rohingya were found in a truck after reportedly landing from a boat on the coast of Madat District, East Aceh Regency.