Arakan News Agency
The Rohingya refugee community residing in Pekanbaru, Riau Province, has expressed full solidarity with Indonesian citizens affected by recent floods in the region, according to a statement issued by the community.
Rohingya refugees in Indonesia collected donations totaling 9 million Indonesian Rupiah, which were handed over to the National Zakat Agency in Riau (BAZNAS Provinsi Riau), a trusted governmental humanitarian organization. The community said the contribution reflects their gratitude to the Indonesian people for providing protection and support during their stay in the country.
The statement emphasized that the initiative aims to promote solidarity and humanitarian values, noting that compassion and assistance transcend nationality, ethnicity, or legal status. Despite the challenges of living far from their homeland, the Rohingya community continues to uphold values of empathy and support for those in need.
The floods and landslides in Sumatra, Indonesia, have recently caused widespread destruction, claiming 631 lives and displacing nearly one million people, according to the National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB). 472 individuals remain missing, while 2,600 others were injured across three provinces in western Sumatra. Over 3.3 million people were affected, and one million were evacuated to temporary shelters. The disaster also impacted neighboring countries, including Thailand, Malaysia, and Sri Lanka, resulting in roughly 1,200 deaths and hundreds of missing persons.
The Rohingya community in Indonesia consists largely of individuals who fled Myanmar due to violence and persecution, many of whom settled in Pekanbaru, Riau Province. According to UNHCR 2025 data, around 12,051 people are officially registered as refugees or asylum seekers in Indonesia, with Rohingya forming a significant portion of this population. However, exact figures for Rohingya refugees fluctuate due to new arrivals, internal movements, and repatriations.
Despite facing multiple daily challenges, the Rohingya in Indonesia continue to engage in humanitarian initiatives, including donations and charitable activities, to support local communities and strengthen social solidarity.
