History of Displacement in Indonesia and the Role of UNHCR

2024 marks the 45th year of UNHCR in Indonesia. As a vast country, Indonesia has experienced several key moments related to displacement in its recent history.  UNHCR engaged during these periods to support the Indonesian government, the local communities and to assist refugees.  Here are some key moments in the history of displacement in Indonesia and UNHCR’s role since 1979:  

1. ‘Boat People’: Indo-Chinese Refugees on Galang Island (1979-1996)  

In the late 1970s, some 250,000 Indo-Chinese refugees fled the conflict in Vietnam and Cambodia using makeshift boats, and Indonesia played an important role in providing protection. Galang Island was one of the main places at which refugees were provided assistance and processed for resettlement, reflecting Indonesia’s humanitarian commitment during this crisis. UNHCR, with financial support from the international community, including countries such as the United States and Australia, equipped Galang Island with medical facilities, canteens, housing and other infrastructure to provide the necessary services and support for refugees.

2. Refugees from East Timor (1999)  

The intensification of the crisis in East Timor resulted in the flight of more than 250,000 refugees from East Timor. During this time, UNHCR helped tens of thousands of refugees affected during the conflict. After the conflict, UNHCR helped facilitate the process of return and reintegration/repatriation of refugees who chose to return.

3. Conflict in Aceh (1976-2005)

During the long conflict in Aceh, UNHCR played an important role in coordinating protection efforts for victims of the conflict. During the period, tens of thousands of people were forced to flee their homes, many seeking asylum outside of Indonesia. UNHCR helped to identify and register over 20,000 people who were displaced by the conflict in Aceh to other countries, helping those in need of international protection to access assistance and protection in a time of hardship. After the peace agreement in 2005, UNHCR also facilitated the return and reintegration/repatriation process of some refugees together with the Indonesian Government.

4. Aceh Tsunami: Relief and assistance to affected Acehnese communities (2004-2005)

The devastating tsunami that destroyed parts of Aceh in 2004 caused mass displacement in Aceh. The tsunami claimed approximately 170,000 lives in Aceh, with more than 390,000 forced to flee their homes and facing huge challenges to restore normal life. UNHCR worked with the Indonesian government to provide emergency assistance and support affected communities in rebuilding their lives. 

5. Arrival of Afghan Refugees (around 1996-present) 

The arrival of Afghan refugees in Indonesia, which began around 1996 and continues through today, highlights the protracted conflict and instability in Afghanistan. With regime change, military intervention, and the return to power of the Taliban, UNHCR has played an important role in providing protection and assistance to Afghan refugees, including in Indonesia. To date, thousands of Afghans have taken refuge in Indonesia and many of them have  moved to third countries. 

6. Arrival of Refugees from the Middle East (around 2000-present) 

Since the early 2000s, Indonesia has received refugees from the Middle East, especially from Iraq, Syria, Yemen and Palestine. UNHCR collaborates with partners to meet their needs and works to help them realize lasting solutions outside Indonesia, including resettlement. 

7. Palu-Donggala Tsunami (2018)  

The earthquake and tsunami that hit Palu-Donggala in 2018 caused severe damage, resulting in more than 4,000 deaths, thousands of people injured, and 172,000 people forced to evacuate. The tsunami also caused significant infrastructure damage and destroyed more than 110,000 homes. UNHCR quickly responded to the Government of Indonesia’s request for assistance, engaging in relief and support efforts for affected communities, demonstrating its commitment to emergency response in crisis situations. 

8. Rohingya Refugees: A Stateless Community (2009-now) 

The Rohingya community, a Muslim minority, has been the target of violence and severe human rights abuses in Myanmar for decades.  Rohingya refugees have fled Myanmar in waves following periods of increasing insecurity, with hundreds of thousands fleeing in 2017 alone.  

Many Rohingya refugees have sought protection and safety in Myanmar’s neighboring countries, such as Bangladesh (960,000), Malaysia (107,000), India (22,000), and Indonesia (2,000). The first wave of Rohingya refugees arrived in Indonesia by boats in 2009. Arrivals of Rohingya refugees to Indonesia continued in subsequent years. 

In the last two months of 2023, approximately 1,700 Rohingya refugees landed in Aceh. Around 70% of these new arrivals are children and women.  Acehnese communities have responded admirably by enabling disembarkation and the provision of life-saving assistance to refugees in distress.  UNHCR continues to coordinate with the government and other stakeholders to ensure the protection and welfare of Rohingya refugees. Currently, UNHCR’s collaborative efforts with the government, authorities, humanitarian partners, and volunteers among the local communities include the provision of emergency aid, food, clean water and medical assistance. Inadequate and hard to reach hosting sites (such as on the shoreline and a building basement) render it difficult to provide proper assistance and robust support. Therefore, identifying shelter locations remains an urgent priority. 

For more information, please contact:

Mitra Salima Suryono +62 811 1960 0493, [email protected]

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