Saving lives must be first priority, says UNHCR as more Rohingya flee by sea

The UN Refugee Agency, UNHCR, has called on States to prioritise life-saving actions as hundreds of Rohingya stateless refugees from Myanmar have sought safety in the region in the first five days of the new year.

A total of 460 men, women and children have so far arrived by boat in countries in the region, including Malaysia (196 people on 3 January) and Indonesia (264 people on 5 January) after weeks at sea.

Ten people have reportedly died during the journeys. Just three weeks before, another 115 Rohingya landed in Sri Lanka after losing six people at sea.

"Saving lives must be the first priority," said Hai Kyung Jun, director of UNHCR's Regional Bureau for Asia and the Pacific on Wednesday (8 January).

"We appreciate the steps taken by governments in the region to receive these vulnerable people who fled fighting and persecution back home and survived long days at sea with little food and water. We stand ready to provide support to governments and local efforts to assist them."

The new arrivals come at the peak of the "sailing season" – when seas are calmer between the annual monsoon seasons – following an intensification of fighting in Myanmar.

In 2024, more than 7,800 Rohingya attempted to flee the country by boat – an 80 per cent increase compared to 2023.

Over 650 people died or were reported missing enroute, making this one of the world's most perilous journeys.

More children embarked on the voyage, accounting for 44 per cent of total passengers, up from 37 per cent in 2023.

The proportion of women also increased to almost a third.

Among last year's new trends, thousands of people were so desperate to flee that they risked their lives trying to cross the Naf River to Bangladesh in severe weather during the rainy season, UNHCR said.

In addition, it said, an increasing proportion of Rohingya have set sail directly from Myanmar whereas in the past, many left from Bangladesh's camps.

There are reports of boats being pushed back to sea.

"While States have the legitimate right to control their borders and manage irregular movements, especially in the context of people smuggling and trafficking, such measures must guarantee the rights of people to reach safety," said Jun.

"We call on all States to continue search and rescue efforts and make sure that survivors receive the assistance and protection they need."

As the situation in Myanmar continues to deteriorate, more people are expected to flee in the coming months, UNHCR aaid.

An important part of the solution lies in building on the solid cooperation and planning that has already been undertaken by ASEAN and the Bali Process to address irregular maritime movements.

UNHCR encouraged States to focus on protection at sea, meeting humanitarian needs and addressing false narratives and hate speech against refugees and asylum-seekers arriving on their shores.

Greater international and regional action is also required to end the fighting in Myanmar and address the root causes of displacement so that refugees can return home voluntarily, safely and with dignity.