Nearly 900 Rohingya reported dead or missing in 2025 sea crossings: UNHCR

The UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) has urged states to address the root causes of displacement, expand safe and legal migration pathways and strengthen regional cooperation to combat smuggling and trafficking, warning that 2025 has become the deadliest year on record for Rohingya maritime movements.

UNHCR spokesperson Babar Baloch said nearly 900 Rohingya refugees were reported missing or dead in 2025 while attempting sea crossings in the Andaman Sea and the Bay of Bengal. 

He made the remarks during a press briefing at Palais des Nations in Geneva.

According to UNHCR data, more than 1.3 million Rohingya refugees and asylum seekers remain displaced across the region, including about 1.2 million in Bangladesh. 

However, the 2025 Joint Response Plan is only 53 percent funded, highlighting severe gaps in international support.

The agency said over 6,500 Rohingya attempted dangerous sea journeys this year, with one in seven reportedly dying or going missing; the highest mortality rate among major global maritime migration routes. 

Women and children made up more than half of those undertaking such journeys in recent years.

The trend has continued into 2026, with over 2,800 Rohingya undertaking risky sea crossings between January and April 13.

UNHCR also highlighted a recent tragedy in the Andaman Sea, where an overcrowded boat that departed from Bangladesh on March 26 capsized in rough seas, leaving an estimated 250 people missing. 

Nine survivors were rescued near the Andaman Islands on April 9.

The agency said it is providing counselling and medical and psychosocial support to survivors and remains ready to assist local authorities.

Despite extreme risks, including trafficking and death at sea, thousands of Rohingya continue to attempt these journeys, often departing from Cox’s Bazar in Bangladesh or Rakhine State in Myanmar, bound for countries such as Indonesia or Malaysia.

UNHCR added that many Rohingya still hope for safe, voluntary return to Myanmar, but ongoing conflict, persecution, lack of citizenship prospects and deteriorating conditions in refugee camps continue to drive dangerous onward movement.

SH