The UNICEF country chief in Bangladesh has said that the tragic boat accident in the Bay of Bengal is a "grim reminder" of the extraordinary risks that desperate Rohingyas are taking to escape the violence at their home in Myanmar's Rakhine State.
Published : 29 Sep 2017, 12:55 AM
Edouard Beigbeder's statement came after bodies of 16 Rohingya Muslims, mostly children, were recovered from the shore in Ukhia of Cox's Bazar on Thursday.
The Unicef representative said, "dozens of others are believed to have perished making similar journeys since the latest crisis in Rakhine state erupted the end of August."
"All told, over a quarter of a million children from Myanmar have now taken refuge in southern Bangladesh in recent weeks," he said.
"UNICEF calls for international support to the efforts being led by the government of Bangladesh to deliver urgent humanitarian aid and ensure the protection of children’s rights.”