Vice Governor Review Rohingya Refugees in Bireuen

Bireuen - Deputy Governor of Aceh, Nova Iriansyah, said the Aceh Government is not in a position to provide solutions related to the problems facing Rohingya refugees. However, the Aceh government continues to provide assistance on a humanitarian basis.

"(The fate of Rohingya refugees seeking asylum) is an international task undertaken by UNHCR (United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees), IOM (International Organization for Migration) and other concerned parties," said Vice Mayor, who was accompanied by Bireuen Regent Saifannur, when reviewing Rohingya refugees at the Learning Activity Learning Center (SKB) Cot Gapu, Bireuen, Tuesday (24/04/2018).

Vice Governor Nova said the Aceh Government has already communicated with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, UNHCR, IOM and other institutions dealing with refugee issues to secure certainty regarding Rohingya's handling.

"Based on information from one of the members of IOM earlier, their goal (Rohingya) is not to Indonesia, but to Malaysia," said Nova.

According to him, the handling done by the Aceh Government is only temporary until there is a decision from the Central Government.

"We follow the policy of the Central Government, we handle them because they are stranded in Aceh, they are also human like us, let alone they need help, so we help," Nova said again.

Vice Governor Nova also mentioned that the Aceh Government has not allocated any special funds for the handling of Rohingya refugees.

"For now there is help from the community, or sympathetic institutions, and from Dinas Sosial Aceh for not violating the rules," said Nova.

Nova is grateful to Bireuen Regent and her staff, TNI, Polri, other related parties and the community that has helped save the refugees from Rohingya with sincerity.

"We hope that if they move from here, they have finished all the matters related to the handling of Rohingyas."

Also included in the review are Assistant for Economics and Development, Taqwallah, Head of Aceh Social Service, Al Hudri, Head of BPBA, Teuku Ahmad Dadek and other related elements.

Previously reported, as many as 79 Rohingya refugees stranded in the waters of Kuala King, Bireuen District on Friday (20/04/2018). Of these, eight of the refugees are children.