Arakan News Agency
A “Food Fleet” will depart from Malaysia for the Arakan state in Myanmar in January.
The fleet is expected deliver almost 200 tonnes of rice, medical aid and other essential supplies to the state that fronts the Bay of Bengal and expected to leave Port Klang on Jan 10 and is expected to return about two weeks later.
The fleet is organised by the Malaysian Consultative Council of Islam Organisations (Mapim), Kelab Putra 1Malaysia and a coalition of NGOs from the region.
Mapim secretary-general Zulhanis Zainol told media that there are three scenarios the fleet could face – allowed in to hand over the aid, told to turn back in Myanmar waters or even attacked by the Myanmar security forces.
He said that the main aim of the fleet was to support the Rohingya communities in the towns of Maungdaw and Buthidaung.
“Access to the affected areas is completely blocked. This resembles Gaza as victims are squeezed between military attacks and closure of the border to a neighbouring country.
“As a result, all access is completely blocked and humanitarian agencies are not allowed to enter,” said Zulhanis.
He estimated 200 participants for the fleet, including NGO members, media practitioners, a medical team, former ministers, politicians, religious leaders, volunteers and the crew.
“We also want to bring a message of peace with the fleet. It is not only a religious issue but a humanitarian one,” said Zulhanis.
Foreign ministers from the Asean countries met for a retreat on Dec 19 in Yangon to discuss the Rohingya issue, which is a contentious issue in the region.
Malaysia’s foreign minister Datuk Seri Anifah Aman reportedly said that unimpeded humanitarian access to the affected areas should be granted urgently,
Human rights groups have accused the military and border guard forces of raping Rohingya women, torching houses and killing civilians, although this has been denied by the Myanmar government and military.
The Rohingya are considered by the United Nations as one of the most persecuted minorities in the world.
As of October this year, there are 54,586 Rohingya refugees registered with the UNHCR in Malaysia, although unofficial estimates put the number at three times that.
