Washington, DC (BBN)-Terming Southeast Asia’s Rohingya and Bangladeshi migrants dilemma an emergency issue to address with appropriate speed, the US has urges the government in the region to refrain from pushbacks of new boat arrivals.
“We remain deeply concerned about the urgent situation faced by thousands of Rohingya and Bangladeshi migrants at sea in Southeast Asia,” said Jeff Rathke, director of Press Office in the US Department of States.
The US spokesperson was addressing a daily press briefing on May 15 at Washington, DC.
“The secretary called his Thai counterpart last night to discuss the situation of migrants in the Andaman Sea and to discuss the possibility of Thailand providing temporary shelter for them,” the spokesperson said.
The US and Thai high-ups will discuss the issue on May 29th conference which Thailand will host.
“Our ambassadors in the region are intensely engaged with governments to encourage a rapid humanitarian response,” said Rathke.
The United States government is now discussing ways that the United States can continue to support the regionally led efforts in this crisis, and we plan to send a senior delegation to the regional conference hosted by Thailand in Bangkok on May 29th, said Rathke.
The US also urged the countries of Sotheast Asia region to work together quickly, first and foremost, to save the lives of migrants now at sea who are in need of an immediate rescue effort.
“This is an emergency that we believe needs to be addressed with appropriate speed and resolve through a regionally coordinated effort to save the lives of the thousands of vulnerable migrants and asylum seekers,” Rathke said.
The US also said they were informed that nearly 3,000 people have landed this week in Indonesia and Malaysia, where they are receiving assistance.
“We appreciate the steps taken by the governments of Indonesia, Malaysia, and Thailand to assist these migrants, and urge continued coordination with the UN High Commissioner for Refugees and the International Organization for Migration,” Rathke added.
“We urge governments in the region to refrain from pushbacks of new boat arrivals,” the spokesperson stressed.