Uncertain Journeys
The UNHCR Indonesia's report, as of March 2021, reveals that a total of 13,497 individuals have sought temporary refuge in Indonesia. This number comprises 10,184 refugees and 3,313 asylum seekers. The report further highlights that 71% of this population consists of adults, while 27% are children, and the remaining 2% are elderly individuals. Additionally, the statistics indicate that Afghan nationals dominate the demographics with 7,583 individuals, followed by individuals from Somalia, Iraq, and Myanmar.
I had the opportunity to meet Hasan (4th-photo), a refugee from the Jaghori Ghazni tribe in Afghanistan on August 30, 2021. He revealed that he has been residing in the Indonesian government's building in Kalideres, West Jakarta, for over 6 years without any certainty about his future. Alongside dozens of other refugees, Hasan lives with limited access to water and electricity. He expressed his reluctance to return to his conflict-stricken homeland.
In contrast to the above conditions, dozens of refugees have taken temporary shelter behind makeshift tents on the sidewalks of Kebon Sirih, Central Jakarta. Among them is Shara (6th-photo), who has been residing there for over a year. She, along with other refugees, has taken this step to garner the attention of UNHCR Indonesia.
Previously, hundreds of refugees who had been temporarily residing in Indonesia for years staged a protest in front of the UNHCR Indonesia office in Central Jakarta on August 24, 2021. They sought certainty in being resettled in third countries. Indonesia, due to its temporary asylum seeker status, is unable to guarantee permanent settlement for these individuals. Struggling with an uncertain status, they are also barred from accessing employment, healthcare, and education.
The photo project is still ongoing, and a selection of the images below has been featured in international media outlets through the Pacific Press Agency.
