Langsa, Ekuatorial – Hundreds of Rohingya and Bangladeshi migrants took shelter in Kuala village harbor have been defecating in Kuala Langsa river polluting its mangrove forest, said a green activist.
A total of 682 people, comprise of 257 Rohingyas and 425 Bangladeshi, fled from their countries due to internal conflict and have been taking refuge in Aceh since May 15.
“Just imagine that hundreds of people defecating in the river. They can produce hundreds of tons of human waste and it has been going on for a month. It potentially can pollute mangrove forest of Kuala Langsa,” said Yusmadi Yusuf, an activist adding that water closets were built in river banks.
Yusuf said that direct defecation will lead to water pollution and harm fish, crabs, and other species.
“Fish, crabs, lobsters, and oysters which are source of food for people here so it can also be harmful for Langsa people,” he said.
Based on 2001 Ministry of Health decision on Minimum Standard on Health Issues Due to Disaster and Refugee Management stipulates that human wastes do not leak to wells, springs, rivers, and other water sources.
Meanwhile, Tgk.Miswarisa of Suara Rakyat Aceh (SURA), urged for international bodies handling refugee in Kuala Langsa, especially International Organization For Migration (IOM) and UNHCR, to work professional and prevent open defecation.
“It has been almost a month for those refugees in Kuala Langsa and they have been defecating in the river. This proves that IOM and UNHCR have been unprofessional for letting mangrove forest got polluted,” said Miswarisa.
Previously, Maman Budiman, chief of Langsa Immigration office, said that these refugees might still be in the shelter for a little longer. Ivo Lestari