Myanmar’s decision to take in more than 200 boat migrants has been welcomed by the UN refugee agency which on Friday called for further action to rescue more than 3,500 people still stranded at sea.

UNHCR described Myanmar’s initiative to shelter sea migrants floating off its coastline near Rakhine State as a helpful initial move.

The agency also welcomed the recent joint declaration by ministers from Thailand, Malaysia and Indonesia that their countries would provide temporary aid to sea migrants.

But spokesperson Adrian Edwards told Daniel Johnson that the root issues that lead people to leave their homes needed to be addressed and solutions found for migrants once they arrive in their new host country.

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