Though the Singapore government has outrightly denied the thousands of Rohingya refugees adrift at sea from entering the country, that doesn't mean that they're not providing aid in any way.
According to Foreign Affairs Minister K Shanmugam, the Singapore government will be offering an initial contribution of $267,000 through ASEAN to support the efforts of countries who have been aiding Rohingya refugees, Channel NewsAsia reports.
Though Singapore expressed concern about the situation, the Ministry of Home Affairs maintained that the refugees cannot enter the country due to Singapore's small size and limited land.
Shanmugam mentioned that Singapore welcomes efforts by countries such as Thailand, Malaysia and Indonesia, who have been aiding the refugees and agreeing to provide temporary shelter for them.
The minister also maintained that the Rohingya crisis raises the urgent need to deal with the problem at its source — Myanmar and Bangladesh.
Rohingyas in Myanmar have faced persecution, citizenship rights denial, and terrible living conditions in ghettos and refugee camps in neighbouring Bangladesh. Shanmugam stressed that the countries where the refugees came from should take responsibility, and that the international community have to address the issue.
Photo: Rohingya Blogger Facebook page
Though the Singapore government has outrightly denied the thousands of Rohingya refugees adrift at sea from entering the country, that doesn't mean that they're not providing aid in any way.
According to Foreign Affairs Minister K Shanmugam, the Singapore government will be offering an initial contribution of $267,000 through ASEAN to support the efforts of countries who have been aiding Rohingya refugees, Channel NewsAsia reports.
Though Singapore expressed concern about the situation, the Ministry of Home Affairs maintained that the refugees cannot enter the country due to Singapore's small size and limited land.
Shanmugam mentioned that Singapore welcomes efforts by countries such as Thailand, Malaysia and Indonesia, who have been aiding the refugees and agreeing to provide temporary shelter for them.
The minister also maintained that the Rohingya crisis raises the urgent need to deal with the problem at its source — Myanmar and Bangladesh.
Rohingyas in Myanmar have faced persecution, citizenship rights denial, and terrible living conditions in ghettos and refugee camps in neighbouring Bangladesh. Shanmugam stressed that the countries where the refugees came from should take responsibility, and that the international community have to address the issue.
Photo: Rohingya Blogger Facebook page