TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Indonesian government has earmarked Rp 2.3 billion (around US$176,923) for Rohingya refugees in Aceh to provide basic necessities, such as blankets, clothes and tents, Social Affairs Minister Khofifah Indar Parawansa, said at the Vice Presidential Palace, Jakarta, on Monday, May 25, 2015.
According to Khofifah, the assistance fund will be taken from the social disaster relief fund. Khofifah added that the Social Affairs Ministry has prepared tents in several areas, such as East Aceh, North Aceh, Langsa and Tamiang.
Khofifah explained that the fund would be utilized only to help Rohingya refugees. Meanwhile, the Bangladeshi immigrants would be sent home since they are categorized into economic migrant. Khofifah said that Indonesia has coordinated with international refugee agencies, such as IOM to handle the repatriation of Bangladeshi immigrants.
The Bangladeshi refugees are scheduled to be repatriated from Medan within the next three days. All tickets for refugees have been paid by the IOM.
Khofifah promised that the repatriation of Bangladeshi refugees would be on time since her ministry had the experience to repatriate refugees from Benjina. However, the repatriation would entirely depends on the Bangladeshi government to complete the required documents.
FAIZ NASHRILLAH