UNHCR calls for scaled-up rescue in southeast Asia waters

The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) on Tuesday appealed southeast Asian governments to step up search-and-rescue efforts and keep their borders open, amid continuing reports that thousands of people are stranded on smugglers' boats between the Andaman Sea and the Straits of Malacca.

Thailand-based NGO "Arakan Project"estimated that several thousand people could be adrift at sea as smugglers abandon them to avoid arrest in the wake of recent crackdowns in Thailand and Malaysia.

UNHCR Spokesperson Adrian Edwards said that the agency welcomed the rescue of hundreds of people off the coast of Indonesia and Malaysia in recent days, urging governments to continue their life-saving operations to find and safely disembark the passengers, many of whom are believed to be in a weakened state after days, possibly weeks with little food and water.

"Through various sources we have been alerted that there could be more such boats in the region that still need to be located and assisted," Edwards told a press conference.

According to UNHCR, Thailand witnessed more than 230 smuggling victims have surrendered themselves to the police in recent days after they escaped or were abandoned in smugglers' camps. In Malaysia, local authorities said 1,093 people arrived by boat in Langkawi on Sunday night.

Edwards said those involved include both asylum-seekers and migrants, the first priority is humanitarian relief, followed by the identification of those in need of international protection.

The UN refugee agency urged against indefinite detention of those rescued, who should be given access to basic rights and services including family unification, shelter, healthcare and where possible, the right to work while longer-term solutions are sought. Endit