Listening to Rohingya Voices in Indonesia

Rohingya refugees have fled persecution and insecurity in Myanmar, and increasing violence in Bangladesh—only to arrive in Indonesia still searching for safety, dignity, and access to basic services.

We still live in fear

Rohingya families who fled violence in Myanmar and danger in Bangladesh made a perilous journey by sea to Indonesia in search of safety. But even after reaching shore, many remain unprotected—living with fear and no clear future.

A growing crisis, far from headlines

Since late 2023, Indonesia has seen a surge in Rohingya boat arrivals, particularly along the coast of Aceh and increasingly in Pekanbaru. Many people arrive after treacherous sea journeys lasting up to 45 days, fleeing worsening conditions in the refugee camps of Cox’s Bazar and continued persecution in Myanmar’s Rakhine State.

Indonesia is not a signatory to the 1951 Refugee Convention. While it allows temporary shelter under Presidential Regulation 125/2016, refugees have no long-term pathway and no right to work—leaving many families in prolonged limbo with limited access to healthcare, education, and legal protection.

Living in limbo across multiple sites

As of early 2025, Rohingya refugees were estimated to be across multiple locations, including Aceh, Medan and Pekanbaru. Pekanbaru hosts the largest concentration—around 1,300 people, including families living in a makeshift camp on private land with only two latrines and one water pump. Poor sanitation and overcrowding have contributed to outbreaks of scabies and other illnesses, and many people lack access to essential services, including immunisation, maternal care and mental health support.

Government primary healthcare access remains minimal. In Pekanbaru, only one government primary healthcare centre regularly accepts refugees, and bureaucratic barriers—such as requirements for national ID numbers—can restrict access to essential care, particularly for women and children