ROHINGYA SITUATION BREAKTHROUGH -- UNHCR PROMISED

C O N F I D E N T I A L JAKARTA 000194 DEPT FOR EAP, EAP/MTS, EAP/MLS, PRM/HTRAN, DRL; NSC FOR EPHU E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/05/2018 TAGS: PREL PGOV PREF ID BM SUBJECT: ROHINGYA SITUATION BREAKTHROUGH -- UNHCR PROMISED ACCESS REF: JAKARTA 182 AND PREVIOUS Classified By: Pol/C Joseph L. Novak, reasons 1.4(b+d). ¶1. (U) This is an Action Request -- Please see paragraph 7. ¶2. (C) SUMMARY: The GOI's Department of Foreign Affairs (Deplu) has told UNHCR that it will be granted access to the two groups of Rohingya boat people being cared for in Aceh. The promise is contingent on UNHCR including humanitarian assistance in its action plan. UNHCR believes the emergency assistance which the USG hopes to provide and other relief will be sufficient to meet this condition. This major breakthrough--which Mission pressed hard for--should allow UNHCR to provide protection pending a long-term solution. Action request underscores immediate need for USG assistance contribution. END SUMMARY. A BREAKTHROUGH ¶3. (C) On February 5, Deplu told UNHCR that it would be granted access to the two groups of nearly 400 Rohingyas/Bangladeshi, including one group living on a Navy base on Sabang Island since January 7 and a second group rescued by fishermen in East Aceh District on February 2. The promise was made after the GOI completed its own assessment of the first group of Rohingyas. ¶4. (C) Aneheli Aldharmmar of UNHCR who met with Deplu told DepPol/C the commitment to access was contingent on provision of humanitarian assistance to meet the immediate and long-term needs of the groups. Provided that the UNHCR action plan to be presented to Deplu on February 9 commits to assistance, UNHCR will have immediate access to both groups. UNHCR plans to assess the Sabang group first, a process that will take about two weeks, and then to interview the second group located at Idie Sub-District in East Aceh. ASSISTANCE PACKAGE ¶5. (C) IOM will work with UNHCR in providing four interpreters and humanitarian assistance since UNHCR does not have the funding at this time. The assistance package could include USD 10,000 already provided by Australian Immigration, USD 15,000 tentatively promised by PRM, and further assistance from the American Red Cross, Jesuit Relief Service and other private organizations. UNHCR and IOM would still need to find other sources for longer-term needs. ¶6. (C) Deplu's Director General for Human Rights also attended the meeting with UNHCR, indicating the importance of the human rights aspect of this situation. Arzal Firman, Deputy Director of Human Rights, told DepPol/C that his office had weighed in on persuading other officials to grant access to UNHCR. This was after Mission repeatedly underscored the need for such access in meetings with the GOI. PRM FUNDING URGENTLY NEEDED ¶7. (U) ACTION REQUEST: Mission requests urgent funding of the USD 15,000 requested by IOM to meet the immediate needs of the Rohingya refugees living in Sabang. Another request by IOM to meet longer term needs to follow in the next week. HUME