Representatives from countries around the world gathered in Thailand today to discuss the migrant crisis in Southeast Asia. In recent weeks, about 3,500 migrants have arrived in Thailand, Indonesia and Malaysia, while 2,600 more are believed to be adrift at sea. Most are Bangladeshis and persecuted Rohingya Muslims from Burma who are effectively stateless because they aren’t considered citizens in Burma. U.S. Assistant Secretary of State Anne Richard called for greater international cooperation to address the crisis.

Anne Richard: “We have to save lives urgently. We have to develop better ways of discussing and meeting on these issues and taking action when people are setting to sea in the boats. And then we need to go and look at the root causes of why people feel they have no alternative but to flee their own countries and take such a dangerous, dangerous trip.”