UN reinstates aid to Rohingya refugees in Indonesia: official

Days after cutting help due to US President Donald Trump’s embargo on foreign aid money, the United Nations migration agency’s top officer in Indonesia told AFP Tuesday that the organization had reversed funding cuts for Rohingya migrants in Indonesia.

The Rohingya, an ethnic group that is predominantly Muslim, face severe persecution in Myanmar, and many of them risk their lives every year to travel to Malaysia or Indonesia on perilous sea voyages.

According to a February 28 letter obtained by AFP from the International Organization for Migration (IOM), assistance for around 1,000 Rohingya migrants in Pekanbaru city on the western island of Sumatra was being discontinued.

But the IOM chief of mission in Indonesia told AFP the cuts have been reversed, without a reason given.

“Our largest programme to provide humanitarian assistance has been reinstated,” Jeffrey Labovitz said.

“I can confirm there is no current planned reduction in services.”

In an email statement, the organization stated that it “remains committed to assisting Rohingya refugees in Indonesia, continuing our support as we have in the past.”

Since countries won’t take them in permanently, more than 2,000 Rohingya are stuck in Indonesia under legal limbo, depending on UN assistance for aid and shelter.

“Impacting our staff, operations, and the people we serve” was the IOM’s statement last week regarding the US freeze.

According to a person with knowledge of the situation, AFP was informed that the freeze had left money that was critically required to sustain levels of aid to the persecuted minority.

The US embassy in Jakarta did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Indonesia is not a signatory to the UN refugee convention and says it cannot be compelled to take in refugees from Myanmar, calling instead on neighbouring countries to share the burden and resettle the Rohingya who arrive on its shores.

On Monday US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Washington was cancelling 5,200 programmes at development agency USAID, but would keep 1,000 to be administered by the State Department.

Aid groups argue much of the assistance supports US interests by promoting stability and health overseas.