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STORY: UN / MYANMAR UPDATE
TRT: 01:49
SOURCE: UNIFEED
RESTRICTIONS: NONE
LANGUAGES: ENGLISH / NATS
DATELINE: 16 JULY 2026, NEW YORK CITY / FILE
FILE - NEW YORK CITY
1. Wide shot, exterior, United Nations Headquarters
16 JULY 2026, NEW YORK CITY
2. Wide shot, spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric at the press room podium
3. SOUNDBITE (English) Stéphane Dujarric, Spokesperson for the Secretary-General, United Nations:
“The Secretary-General joins our colleagues at the International Organization for Migration (IOM) and the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) in expressing their deep concern and sadness about reports that two boats carrying more than 500 human beings may have capsized off the coast of Myanmar in recent days. According to preliminary information, the vessels departed from Myanmar’s Rakhine State in late June carrying mostly Rohingya passengers. This includes some who reportedly travelled from refugee camps in Cox’s Bazar, in Bangladesh. One boat lost contact shortly after departure. A second boat is believed to have sunk off Myanmar’s coast on July 8th. If actually verified, this tragedy would add to the nearly 300 people reported missing or dead in the Andaman Sea and Bay of Bengal so far just this year. These reports underscore the devastating impact of prolonged conflict and displacement, as well as the lack of sustainable solutions for Rohingya communities. Escalating conflict and a worsening humanitarian situation in Myanmar, along with limited assistance and opportunities in refugee camps in Bangladesh, are driving increasing numbers of people to attempt dangerous sea journeys just in search of safety.
We continue to call for sustained international support for Rohingya refugees and the communities hosting them, greater efforts to address the drivers of displacement, and additional regional and international efforts to prevent further loss of life along one of the world's deadliest maritime routes.”
4. Wide shot, Dujarric at the podium
The International Organization for Migration (IOM) and the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR), along with Secretary-General António Guterres expressed “deep concern and sadness about reports that two boats carrying more than 500 human beings may have capsized off the coast of Myanmar in recent days.”
The Secretary-General’s spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric told journalists in New York that the vessels had departed from Myanmar’s Rakhine State in late June carrying mostly Rohingya passengers.
Dujarric said, “one boat lost contact shortly after departure. A second boat is believed to have sunk off Myanmar’s coast on July 8th. If actually verified, this tragedy would add to the nearly 300 people reported missing or dead in the Andaman Sea and Bay of Bengal so far just this year.”
These reports, he said, “underscore the devastating impact of prolonged conflict and displacement, as well as the lack of sustainable solutions for Rohingya communities.”
Dujarric called for “sustained international support for Rohingya refugees and the communities hosting them, greater efforts to address the drivers of displacement, and additional regional and international efforts to prevent further loss of life along one of the world's deadliest maritime routes.”
