Joint Press Conference: action to address the migrant crisis in Southeast Asia IOM and UNHCR in the Philippines discuss new developments regarding irregular migration in the Indian Ocean th
Today 27 of May, IOM together with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) invited the Philippine media to a joint press conference to address and discuss the issue of Myanmar and Bangladesh migrants and refugees across the Andaman Sea. The event was held in Makati City and was attended by more than 30 media members from several news agencies. The affected migrants are mainly Rohingya Muslims, who have been facing decades of persecution from their own home country, and feeling that they have no other choice but to leave by paying to human smugglers. Since the beginning of May this year, thousands of victims have been smuggled to Indonesia, Malaysia and Thailand after horrific voyages of up to four months. Thousands more refugees, stateless people and economic migrants, are believed to be still at sea. Those who have landed tell harrowing tales of overcrowding, beatings, dire health conditions and chronic lack of food and water, which in some cases resulted in extreme violence.
IOM Chief of Mission Marco Boasso (left) and UNHCR Country Director Bernard Kerblat ©IOM 2015
Media crew from several news agencies attending the press conference ©IOM 2015
According to the statements made during the press conference, more than 2,600 migrants are still at sea needing immediate assistance. “What is needed as of today is additional search and rescue resources to support these migrants” said UNHCR Philippines Country Director Bernard Kerblat. IOM's Chief of Mission Marco Boasso commented that the issue of irregular migration in Southeast Asia is "a protracted crisis". The smuggling and trafficking of migrants and refugees, particular of Rohingyas, has existed for more than 10 years and it was first recorded in 2004. Officials of the Philippine Government expressed last week willingness to support these migrants, should they arrive in the country, saying that if these migrants and refugees made it to the shores of the Philippines, they would not be turned away. th
Yesterday, 26 of May, IOM launched an appeal for USD 26 million to assist those involved in the crisis, estimating that 5,000 people will require support to return to their country of origin in safety and dignity with additional support for their reintegration once home. th
This coming Friday 29 of May, Thailand will convene a regional meeting in Bangkok to discuss the ongoing crisis. Representatives from 19 countries and various international organizations, including IOM and UNHCR are expected to attend to explore possible solutions. For more information about IOM’s appeal for this crisis, please visit: http://www.iom.int/news/iom-appeals-usd-26-million-migrants-se-asian-boat-crisis General map of Southeast Asia Migration Routes ©IOM 2015
IOM Philippines | Tel: +63 2 230 1999 | E-mail: iomphilippines@iom.int| Website: http://philippineresponse.iom.int |Twitter: @IOM_Philippines
Issued 27 May 2015