U.S. Helps Indonesia Handle Rohingya Refugees Through IOM

Jakarta, June 3 (Antara) -- The United States is determined to help Indonesia handle the Rohingya refugees by channeling funds to the International Organization for Migrants, the U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for Population, Refugees and Migration Anne C. Richard said. "The Indonesian Foreign Affairs Ministry has asked us to encourage other countries to participate (in helping the Rohingya refugees)," she stated after a meeting with Indonesian Vice President Jusuf Kalla at the Vice Presidential Office here on Wednesday. Helping the refugees should be given priority now, and later, overcoming other problems, including human smuggling related to the refugees, should be focused on, she emphasized. Richard added that the United States also has places to accommodate the refugees, but the process of accepting refugees in the country is a long-drawn one. Moreover, the United States is also committed to supporting any regional efforts to address unusual migration problems, including those involving the Rohingya refugees. The government of the United States also expects to continue its consultations with the governments of Southeast Asian countries on requirements and identifying the best possible methods the United States can contribute humanitarian assistance to immigrants in the region. At a special meeting held in Bangkok, Thailand, on May 29, the U.S. unveiled a plan to extend US$3 million in aid to the International Organization for Migrants to support efforts to overcome the refugee crisis. This contribution brings the total aid from the U.S. government since the budget year 2014 to nearly US$109 million for the vulnerable Myanmarese people, including the Rohingyas.