Just like the daily tragedies that have been taking place in the Mediterranean with desperate migrants taking to perilous voyages to escape dismal conditions in their home countries, the waters of South East Asia are now also ‘hosting’ these ‘boat people’ running away from ruinous conditions in Burma and Bangladesh. With more than 700 perishing in the Mediterranean so far, this new wave of migrants is not far behind with more than 200 dead in South East Asia. The remaining migrants — some 677 in number — are stranded with both Malaysia and Thailand refusing them entry on their shores. The persecuted Rohingya Muslims from Burma are running away from home in droves due to the bad treatment meted out to them by the state. The conditions for them are so deplorable that the Burmese authorities — the junta in particular — have given them an ultimatum to leave the country because they do not belong. Bengalis are disenchanted, suffering poor economic and social conditions, their quality of life pathetic to say the least. The Rohingyas suffer persecution and the Bengalis suffer poverty; now, where do they turn when their last ditch efforts to escape fail as well? The Thai and Malay authorities are unwavering; the most they are doing is sending measly packets of food and water to the emaciated refugees. Indonesia had offered some help by refueling the boats and giving food and drink before sending them off into Malaysian waters. But the bitter truth remains that nobody wants these people — men, women and children — and there is nowhere left for them to go. All those countries, from Europe to South East Asia, that are not giving shelter to these refugees need to get their act together and reflect on why this situation has come around in the first place. Why are conditions so bad in their home countries that these people are willing to risk their lives in rickety boats at the hands of exploiters and smugglers who even abandon them in dangerous waters to starve or drown? It is because world powers have started wars, engaged in proxy conflicts and dangerous intrigues, devastating countries like Afghanistan, Syria, Libya, Iraq, Somalia, Chad and more. Civil wars, corrupt puppet regimes, infrastructure breakdown, shoddy welfare systems and zero to no investment in education and bettering the people’s lives have led to many thousands fleeing without thinking twice. It is these same world powers that have reaped the advantages of their real politik that have now distanced themselves from the spillover of the mess they have created. The boat people are the result of their meddling and something must be done to help them. *