Refugee Rights Action Network - Western Australia

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The situation for the people on the boat at Merak is deteriorating. RAC has drafted an email to the IOM to ask that they urgently intervene and to register protest at the withdrawal of support for the asylum seekers.

Please cc'd to immigration minister Chris Evans, who this morning said that the Australian government will not be involved with the asylum seekers at Merak. Contact details for IOM and Evans are below.

Please forward on:

Senator Chris Evans
Minister for Immigration and Citizenship
Parliament House
CANBERRA ACT 2600

Telephone: 02 6277 7860
Fax: 02 6273 4144
Email: minister@immi.gov.au

International Organisation of Migration
Regional representative: Mr Mark Edward GETCHELL

Tel: (02) 6257 1173, 6267 6600
Fax: (02) 6257 3743
Email: MRFCanberra@IOM.INT

URGENT SUPPORT NEEDED FOR ASYLUM SEEKERS AT MERAK

Dear IOM,

We are extremely concerned that the IOM in Indonesia has withdrawn support from the 250 asylum seekers on the boat at Merak, Indonesia.

Humanitarian assistance for the asylum seekers on the boat at Merak is urgently needed.

The asylum seekers have been left without proper medical care and assistance. Some asylum seekers have collapsed from extreme vomiting and diarrhea. Urgently needed medical attention including transport to hospital has been unavailable.

We fear an even greater medical emergency may develop on the boat. Children have been losing weight over the weeks that the boat has been stranded in Merak.

They also urgently need replacement tarpaulins and tents to provide adequate shelter form the heavy rains. Shortage of fuel for generators will also soon mean that there will be no power supply for lights or for recharging phones needed in cases of emergency.

We urge you to take whatever steps are necessary for the Australian government, IOM and other welfare organizations to provide the proper assistance for the health, welfare and safety of the asylum seekers at Merak.

Signed: