The UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) told Reuters on Thursday that about 50 Rohingya Muslims arrived in North Sumatra, Indonesia on Wednesday via boat in refuge from violence and persecution in Myanmar. This is the latest wave of refugee arrivals in Indonesia amid hostility that refugees face from locals.

According to the UNHCR, the 50 Rohingya refugees were primarily made up of women and children. They were taken to a local clinic for health screenings and provided with water and food upon arriving in Indonesia.

Since November 2023, more than 2,300 refugees and 13 boats from Myanmar arrived in Indonesia’s Aceh and North Sumatra provinces. More than 500 Rohingya are believed to have perished or disappeared last year while seeking refuge in Indonesia via the sea route. Indonesian locals have prevented boats from landing and protested against refugees.

The sea route to Indonesia is one of the deadliest in the world. On January 16, Human Rights Watch (HRW) called on Indonesia to safeguard the well-being of Rohingya refugees who arrived in the country. HRW urged Indonesian authorities to cease all pushbacks of boats carrying Rohingya refugees and allow refugees to disembark in the nearest safe port, provide protection and humanitarian assistance and investigate online incitement of violence against them.

The Rohingya are a minority Muslim community that predominantly live in Rakhine, Myanmar. A report released in January alleged that ethnic and religious minorities in the majority Buddhist country are being targeted by the military. In March, a UN official expressed concerns for the Rohingya community as the junta’s attacks have largely impacted the Rohingya community. Most Rohingya refugees fled to neighboring Bangladesh, but increasing insecurity and tension have prompted refugees to seek refuge in Indonesia via a dangerous sea route.