Highlights 1-31 January 2016
Bangladesh: During January, IOM provided return assistance, including food and onward transportation, to 51 Bangladeshis returning from Thailand under IOM’s Assisted Voluntary Return (AVR) Programme. To date, IOM has provided return assistance to 2,433 Bangladeshis. A total of 1,642 returnees have been provided psychosocial counselling through 62 sessions all over the country.
Indonesia: As of 31 January 2016, there are a total of 336 migrants (26 Bangladeshis and 310 Myanmar Muslims from Rakhine State) throughout five shelters in Aceh and North Sumatera.
In January, Assisted Voluntary Return Assistance of Bangladeshi nationals was delayed, awaiting the issuance of travel documents. There was no AVR movement during the reporting period.Thailand: IOM continued to provide humanitarian assistance to Myanmar Muslims from Rakhine State and Bangladeshis through the provision of health care service, shelter/non-food items (NFIs) support, supplemental nutrition support and water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) support. As of January, 396 Myanmar Muslims from Rakhine State and 118 Bangladeshi nationals remain in Thailand. In January, 51 Bangladeshis returned under IOM’s AVR Programme.
Situation Overview
At least 5,543 persons who departed from Myanmar and Bangladesh managed to disembark in Bangladesh, Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar and Thailand, between 10 May and 30 July. No departures have been reported since September.
1,341 stranded Myanmar Muslims from Rakhine State and Bangladeshis remain in shelters and Immigration Detention Centres in Indonesia, Thailand, Malaysia and Myanmar. IOM continues to provide shelter support, non-food items, health screenings, WASH support and psychosocial support.
2,433 Bangladeshis who disembarked after May 10 in Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar and Thailand returned to Bangladesh under IOM’s AVR Programme and Government agreements.