Highlights 1-31 March 2016
Bangladesh: During March, IOM provided return assistance, including food and onward transportation, to 40 Bangladeshis returning from Indonesia and Thailand. There were no minors among these returnees. To date, IOM has provided return assistance to 2,607 Bangladeshis
Indonesia: As of 31 March, there are a total of 291 migrants (6 Bangladeshis and 285 Myanmar Muslims from Rakhine State) throughout five shelters in Aceh and North Sumatera. Out of 291, there are 38 women, 118 men, 45 girls, and 90 boys under 18 years old.
Four Bangladeshis returned under IOM’s Assisted Voluntary Return (AVR)
Programme in March.Thailand: To date, 382 Myanmar Muslim men, women, and children from Rakhine State and 20 Bangladesh men remain in 7 Immigration Detention Centers and 10 shelters in Thailand. In March, 36 Bangladeshis returned under IOM’s AVR Programme. To celebrate International Women’s Day on 8 March, IOM organized special events for 127 women and children in Suratthani and Padang Besar IDCs with the Thai authorities and NGOs.
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 2015. Embarkation recommenced on 20 September and at least 1,500 persons departed from Myanmar and Bangladesh from September to December 2015.
1,149 stranded Myanmar Muslims from Rakhine State and Bangladeshis remain in shelters and Immigration Detention Centres in Indonesia, Thailand, and Malaysia. IOM continues to provide shelter support, non-food items, health screenings, WASH support, and psychosocial support.
2,607 Bangladeshis who disembarked after 10 May in Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, and Thailand returned to Bangladesh under IOM’s AVR Programme and Government agreements.