Statement from UNICEF Representative on the drowning of Rohingya refugee women and children in the Bay of Bengal

COX’S BAZAR, BANGLADESH, 28 September 2017 – “The tragic accident that this evening cost the lives of at least 14 people – including several children – in the waters of the Bay of Bengal is a grim reminder of the extraordinary risks that desperate Rohingya are taking in order to escape the violence engulfing their homeland.

"Dozens of others are believed to have perished making similar journeys since the latest crisis in Rakhine state erupted in late August. All told, over a quarter of a million children from Myanmar have now taken refuge in southern Bangladesh in recent weeks.

"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."

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For further information please contact:

Jean-Jacques Simon, UNICEF, Tel: + 880 1713043478; jsimon@unicef.org

Marixie Mercado, UNICEF, Tel: +880 1700703814; mmercado@unicef.org