ASIATODAY.ID, JAKARTA — Southeast Asia is confronting a growing humanitarian challenge as declining international assistance for refugees collides with escalating risks of human trafficking, labor exploitation, and transnational crime, according to participants at a major regional migration forum held in Jakarta this week.
The warning emerged during the 15th Asia Dialogue on Forced Migration (ADFM), held on June 23–24, 2026, which brought together government officials, international organizations, academics, human rights institutions, and policy experts from across the Asia-Pacific region.
Hosted by Indonesia’s National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN) alongside regional partners, the forum focused on the increasingly complex challenges surrounding forced migration and refugee protection in Southeast Asia.
Prof. Tri Nuke Pudjiastuti, Senior Researcher at BRIN’s Center for Political Research, said the dialogue was established in 2015 to promote more dignified and sustainable responses to forced migration across the region.
According to her, recent years have seen encouraging developments, including expanded work opportunities for refugees in Thailand, refugee registration initiatives in Malaysia, and growing discussions within ASEAN on migration governance and refugee protection.
“This year’s dialogue examined refugee livelihoods, human trafficking risks, responsibility-sharing among states, and the role of regional mechanisms such as ASEAN and the Bali Process,” she said quoted on June 25, 2026.
Despite these advances, delegates expressed growing concern over the impact of cuts to international humanitarian funding. Reduced financial support has strained refugee communities in several countries, limiting access to food, clean water, sanitation, healthcare, and other essential services.
Participants argued that traditional humanitarian assistance alone is no longer sufficient. Instead, refugee policies must evolve toward long-term development strategies that prioritize education, skills training, and economic inclusion.
Such investments, they noted, are critical not only for promoting refugee self-reliance but also for reducing vulnerability to exploitation, human trafficking, migrant smuggling, and other forms of organized crime.
Andrew Hudson, Chief Executive Officer of the Centre for Policy Development (CPD), said the region must identify innovative and practical solutions as displacement challenges continue to intensify.
“It is important to recognize opportunities and good practices that can be expanded even in a highly challenging environment,” Hudson said.
The forum also highlighted a rise in irregular maritime movements, trafficking networks, and online scam operations that exploit vulnerable workers throughout the region. Participants warned that these trends underscore the increasingly close links between forced migration and transnational criminal activities.
Regional cooperation, including information sharing, cross-border coordination, and stronger protection mechanisms for vulnerable groups, was identified as a critical priority.
Delegates further raised concerns about the spread of misinformation, disinformation, and hate speech targeting refugees, warning that hostile narratives can undermine public support for protection efforts and fuel social tensions.
Indonesia’s ongoing revision of Presidential Regulation No. 125/2016 on the Handling of Foreign Refugees also drew attention during the discussions.
The proposed reforms aim to strengthen interagency coordination, clarify operational procedures, and address challenges related to funding, public services, education, healthcare, and cooperation between central and local governments.
One of the most closely watched policy examples discussed at the forum was Thailand’s decision to expand access to employment for refugees living in border camps.
The initiative is viewed as a model for transitioning refugees from aid dependency toward economic self-sufficiency through work permits, vocational training, language education, and formal identification.
While acknowledging that each country faces unique legal and political realities, participants agreed that access to education, skills development, legal identity, and economic opportunities forms the foundation of sustainable solutions to forced migration.
As international support declines and trafficking threats continue to grow, the message from Jakarta was clear: Southeast Asia can no longer rely on short-term responses.
The future of refugee protection in the region will depend on stronger regional cooperation and policies that empower displaced populations to build independent and secure lives. (AT Network)
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