Task force spokesperson at Lhokseumawe, Marzuki, said on Saturday that the relocation of the refugees was supported by the Bireuen district government, Lhokseumawe city government, and the International Organization for Migration (IOM).
"Of the 119 people transferred, 95 were Rohingya immigrants from Bireuen district and the other 24 were from Lhokseumawe city," he added.
The process of relocating the Rohingya immigrants to Pekanbaru, Riau, was performed under a strict escort and carried out gradually, and before they departed, they underwent a medical examination, Marzuki informed.
In addition to health checks, they also underwent COVID-19 PCR tests, he said adding, all of them were declared healthy and negative for COVID-19.
"The relocation of Rohingya immigrants was via land, from Lhokeumawe to Medan, North Sumatra," he said.
From Medan city, the refugees were flown to Pekanbaru. "With the transfer, there are no more Rohingya immigrants accommodated in Aceh," Marzuki added.
At least 114 Rohingya refugees had been stranded in Kuala Muara Raja, Kuala sub-district, Bireuen district, Aceh, on Sunday (March 6, 2022) around 2 a.m. local time.
Of the 114 refugees, 68 were adult men, 21 were adult women, and 35 were children. They were provided accommodation in Gampong Alue Buya Pasie, Ganda Pura sub-district, Bireuen district.
"While in Lhokseumawe, the immigrants stayed at the job training center where dozens of Rohingya immigrants were sheltered some time ago," assistant I to the secretary of the Bireuen district administration, Mulyadi, said earlier.
The Bireuen district government could only provide humanitarian assistance to the immigrants since the district has no special place to accommodate them, he added.
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Related news: 114 Rohingya refugees stranded on Aceh shore
Translator: M Agus, Kenzu T
Editor: Suharto
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