Arakan News Agency
The US government, through Assistant Secretary of State for Population, Refugees and Migration Anne C. Richard, has expressed its commitment, including financial aid, to help resolve the boat people issue facing Asia.…
“Of the US$26 million we proposed, we have only approved $3 million on May 29 to deal with the boat people who are currently accommodated in several Asian countries, such as Indonesia, Malaysia and Thailand,” said Richard.
She said the US had donated relief aid for the migrants through the International Organization for Migration (IOM) and UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR).
Besides providing the funds, Richard visited shelters to see and hear firsthand the needs of the migrants. The US government is also further coordinating with countries in the Asian region on the handling of irregular immigrants.
Richard’s visit to the refugee shelter in Aceh was part of a series of consultations and discussions on the immigration issue in the Asian region, held in Thailand and attended by Southeast Asian countries. The meeting was aimed at seeking a solution to the humanitarian issue which is now at a critical stage.
“The US is further coordinating with the governments in the Asian region to discuss and find out what they need and what the US can do to help,” said Richard.
Richard also expressed gratitude to Indonesian fishermen who were willing to help boat people abandoned at sea by their agents.
Aside from financial aid, the US will also help governments in the Southeast Asian region to bust human trafficking syndicates, which promise work to the migrants to tempt them to undertake the perilous voyage.
Source : thejakartapost
