Arakan News Agency
Rohingya refugees in Medan, Indonesia, have distributed emergency assistance to families affected by severe flooding, delivering 300 relief boxes and 400 bags of rice (5 kg each) in the hardest-hit areas of Aceh Tamiang and Aceh Timur.
In a statement published on their Facebook page, the Rohingya community in Medan said the initiative was a “small contribution to support our Indonesian brothers and sisters during this difficult time. Although we live as refugees, we stand together in the spirit of humanity and solidarity.”
The statement emphasized the long-standing ties between the Rohingya community and the province of Aceh, noting that the region “has always been a safe haven for the Rohingya,” and that its people have historically offered unforgettable support since the arrival of the first refugee groups.
Volunteers from the community helped prepare the relief boxes, which contained 17 essential items, including food supplies, hygiene products, and blankets. Organizers described the initiative as a message of gratitude and unity, saying: “We see you… we love you… and we stand with you.”
The recent floods displaced large numbers of residents. Despite their difficult conditions as refugees, the Rohingya initiative was widely seen as a remarkable act of human solidarity between the two communities.
The report noted that Rohingya refugees in Indonesia — particularly those residing in Pekanbaru in Riau Province — had previously donated to flood-affected communities on Sumatra Island, raising 9 million Indonesian rupiah. The amount was delivered to the National Zakat Agency in Riau Province (BAZNAS Provinsi Riau), a trusted government-affiliated humanitarian body.
Rohingya refugees in Indonesia are part of a growing community that arrived after multiple waves of displacement caused by violence and persecution in Arakan State in Myanmar. Many have settled in different areas across Indonesia, especially in Pekanbaru, after fleeing discrimination and atrocities in their homeland.
According to the UNHCR’s 2025 data, Indonesia hosts around 12,051 registered refugees and asylum seekers, among whom Rohingya refugees form a significant portion. However, the agency has not released a precise figure for the Rohingya community, as their numbers continue to change due to new sea arrivals, internal movement, and relocations.
The Rohingya community in Indonesia has participated in various humanitarian initiatives supporting local populations, reflecting their compassion and solidarity with the people of the host country — despite the daily challenges they face living as refugees far from home.
