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On troubled waters, escalating migrant crisis

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Thousands of Rohingya migrants fleeing Myanmar are stranded at sea while others rescued by fishing boats have arrived on the shores of Malaysia and Indonesia, starving and ill. It is a sight of suffering and misery, and a crisis worsening to become a humanitarian disaster. See wire images.

A Rohingya mother, who arrived by boat, hands her child to a volunteer at the port of Julok village in Kuta Binje, Indonesia's Aceh Province, May 20, 2015. Hundreds of Rohingya and Bangladeshi migrants landed in Indonesia's northwestern Aceh province early on Wednesday, an Indonesian search and rescue official said.

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A Rohingya mother, who arrived by boat, hands her child to a volunteer at the port of Julok village in Kuta Binje, Indonesia's Aceh Province, May 20, 2015. Hundreds of Rohingya and Bangladeshi migrants landed in Indonesia's northwestern Aceh province early on Wednesday, an Indonesian search and rescue official said. Credit:REUTERS/Beawiharta

Acehnese fishermen help migrants to transfer to their boat on the sea off East Aceh, Indonesia, Wednesday, May 20, 2015. Hundreds of migrants stranded at sea for months were rescued and taken to Indonesia, officials said Wednesday, the latest in a stream of Rohingya and Bangladeshi migrants to reach shore in a growing crisis confronting Southeast Asia.

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Acehnese fishermen help migrants to transfer to their boat on the sea off East Aceh, Indonesia, Wednesday, May 20, 2015. Hundreds of migrants stranded at sea for months were rescued and taken to Indonesia, officials said Wednesday, the latest in a stream of Rohingya and Bangladeshi migrants to reach shore in a growing crisis confronting Southeast Asia. Credit:S. Yulinnas

Rohingya and Bangleshi migrants wait on board a fishing boat before being transported to shore, off the coast of Julok, in Aceh province, May 20, 2015 in this photo taken by Antara Foto. Hundreds of Rohingya and Bangladeshi migrants landed in Indonesia's northwestern Aceh province early on Wednesday, an Indonesian search and rescue official said.

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Rohingya and Bangleshi migrants wait on board a fishing boat before being transported to shore, off the coast of Julok, in Aceh province, May 20, 2015 in this photo taken by Antara Foto. Hundreds of Rohingya and Bangladeshi migrants landed in Indonesia's northwestern Aceh province early on Wednesday, an Indonesian search and rescue official said. Credit:

TOPSHOTS A rescued Bangladeshi migrant (C) prays at a corner while Indonesian personnel fumigate a warehouse converted into sleeping quarters for migrants at a fishing port in Langsa in Aceh province on May 19, 2015. The migrants mostly Rohingyas from Myanmar and Bangladesh were rescued by Indonesian fishermen off Langsa on May 15. The Philippines said May 19 it was ready to help Rohingya and Bangladeshi boatpeople, as its Southeast Asian neighbours faced outrage for turning them away.

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TOPSHOTS A rescued Bangladeshi migrant (C) prays at a corner while Indonesian personnel fumigate a warehouse converted into sleeping quarters for migrants at a fishing port in Langsa in Aceh province on May 19, 2015. The migrants mostly Rohingyas from Myanmar and Bangladesh were rescued by Indonesian fishermen off Langsa on May 15. The Philippines said May 19 it was ready to help Rohingya and Bangladeshi boatpeople, as its Southeast Asian neighbours faced outrage for turning them away. Credit:ROMEO GACAD

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TOPSHOTS A rescued Rohingya child from Myanmar is attended to by an Indonesian nurse at a hospital in Langsa in Aceh province on May 19, 2015. The migrants mostly Rohingyas from Myanmar and Bangladesh were rescued by Indonesian fishermen off Langsa on May 15. The Philippines said May 19 it was ready to help Rohingya and Bangladeshi boatpeople, as its Southeast Asian neighbours faced outrage for turning them away.

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TOPSHOTS A rescued Rohingya child from Myanmar is attended to by an Indonesian nurse at a hospital in Langsa in Aceh province on May 19, 2015. The migrants mostly Rohingyas from Myanmar and Bangladesh were rescued by Indonesian fishermen off Langsa on May 15. The Philippines said May 19 it was ready to help Rohingya and Bangladeshi boatpeople, as its Southeast Asian neighbours faced outrage for turning them away. Credit:ROMEO GACAD

TOPSHOTS Indonesian doctors attend to Shahira Bibi, a severely malnourished three year old Rohingya girl from Myanmar who remains unconscious at the hospital in Langsa in Aceh province on May 19, 2015. Bibi's mother and older sister were rescued together with other migrants from Myanmar and Bangladesh by Indonesian fishermen in Langsa on May 15. The Philippines said May 19 it was ready to help Rohingya and Bangladeshi boatpeople, as its Southeast Asian neighbours faced outrage for turning them away.

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TOPSHOTS Indonesian doctors attend to Shahira Bibi, a severely malnourished three year old Rohingya girl from Myanmar who remains unconscious at the hospital in Langsa in Aceh province on May 19, 2015. Bibi's mother and older sister were rescued together with other migrants from Myanmar and Bangladesh by Indonesian fishermen in Langsa on May 15. The Philippines said May 19 it was ready to help Rohingya and Bangladeshi boatpeople, as its Southeast Asian neighbours faced outrage for turning them away. Credit:ROMEO GACAD

An unconscious migrant is carried by a friend upon arrival in Simpang Tiga, Aceh province, Indonesia, Wednesday, May 20, 2015. Hundreds of migrants stranded at sea for months were rescued and taken to Indonesia, officials said Wednesday, the latest in a stream of Rohingya and Bangladeshi migrants to reach shore in a growing crisis confronting Southeast Asia.

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An unconscious migrant is carried by a friend upon arrival in Simpang Tiga, Aceh province, Indonesia, Wednesday, May 20, 2015. Hundreds of migrants stranded at sea for months were rescued and taken to Indonesia, officials said Wednesday, the latest in a stream of Rohingya and Bangladeshi migrants to reach shore in a growing crisis confronting Southeast Asia. Credit:(AP Photo/Binsar Bakkara)

Rescued migrants arrive in Simpang Tiga, Aceh province, Indonesia Wednesday, May 20, 2015. Hundreds of migrants stranded at sea for months were rescued and taken to Indonesia, officials said Wednesday, the latest in a stream of Rohingya and Bangladeshi migrants to reach shore in a growing crisis confronting Southeast Asia.

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Rescued migrants arrive in Simpang Tiga, Aceh province, Indonesia Wednesday, May 20, 2015. Hundreds of migrants stranded at sea for months were rescued and taken to Indonesia, officials said Wednesday, the latest in a stream of Rohingya and Bangladeshi migrants to reach shore in a growing crisis confronting Southeast Asia. Credit:(AP Photo/Binsar Bakkara)

KUALA LANGSA, INDONESIA - MAY 19: Volunteers help Bangladeshi migrants cut their hair at a temporary shelter on May 19, 2015 in Kuala Langsa, Aceh province, Indonesia. Hundreds of Myanmar's Rohingya refugees arrived in Indonesia on May 15, many requiring medical attention. Thousands more are believed to still be stranded at sea reportedly with no country in the region willing to take them in. Myanmar's Rohingya Muslim community have long been persecuted and marginalized by Myanmar's mostly Buddhist population.

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KUALA LANGSA, INDONESIA - MAY 19: Volunteers help Bangladeshi migrants cut their hair at a temporary shelter on May 19, 2015 in Kuala Langsa, Aceh province, Indonesia. Hundreds of Myanmar's Rohingya refugees arrived in Indonesia on May 15, many requiring medical attention. Thousands more are believed to still be stranded at sea reportedly with no country in the region willing to take them in. Myanmar's Rohingya Muslim community have long been persecuted and marginalized by Myanmar's mostly Buddhist population. Credit:Ulet Ifansasti

A Rohingya migrant who arrived by boat, holds his child at the port of Julok village in Kuta Binje, Indonesia's Aceh Province, May 20, 2015. Hundreds of Rohingya and Bangladeshi migrants landed in Indonesia's northwestern Aceh province early on Wednesday, an Indonesian search and rescue official said.

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A Rohingya migrant who arrived by boat, holds his child at the port of Julok village in Kuta Binje, Indonesia's Aceh Province, May 20, 2015. Hundreds of Rohingya and Bangladeshi migrants landed in Indonesia's northwestern Aceh province early on Wednesday, an Indonesian search and rescue official said. Credit:BEAWIHARTA

Rescued migrants disembark from an Acehnese fishing boat upon arrival in Simpang Tiga, Aceh province, Indonesia, Wednesday, May 20, 2015. Hundreds of migrants stranded at sea for months were rescued and taken to Indonesia, officials said Wednesday, the latest in a stream of Rohingya and Bangladeshi migrants to reach shore in a growing crisis confronting Southeast Asia.

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Rescued migrants disembark from an Acehnese fishing boat upon arrival in Simpang Tiga, Aceh province, Indonesia, Wednesday, May 20, 2015. Hundreds of migrants stranded at sea for months were rescued and taken to Indonesia, officials said Wednesday, the latest in a stream of Rohingya and Bangladeshi migrants to reach shore in a growing crisis confronting Southeast Asia. Credit:(AP Photo/Binsar Bakkara)

A Rohingya migrant child (R) who arrived by boat, grabs biscuit of her mother at the port of Julok village in Kuta Binje, Indonesia's Aceh Province, May 20, 2015. Hundreds of Rohingya and Bangladeshi migrants landed in Indonesia's northwestern Aceh province early on Wednesday, an Indonesian search and rescue official said.

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A Rohingya migrant child (R) who arrived by boat, grabs biscuit of her mother at the port of Julok village in Kuta Binje, Indonesia's Aceh Province, May 20, 2015. Hundreds of Rohingya and Bangladeshi migrants landed in Indonesia's northwestern Aceh province early on Wednesday, an Indonesian search and rescue official said. Credit:Reuters

Bangladeshi migrants who arrived by boat sit inside military truck as they are transported to an immigration office at the port of Julok village in Kuta Binje, Indonesia's Aceh Province, May 20, 2015. Hundreds of Rohingya and Bangladeshi migrants landed in Indonesia's northwestern Aceh province early on Wednesday, an Indonesian search and rescue official said.

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Bangladeshi migrants who arrived by boat sit inside military truck as they are transported to an immigration office at the port of Julok village in Kuta Binje, Indonesia's Aceh Province, May 20, 2015. Hundreds of Rohingya and Bangladeshi migrants landed in Indonesia's northwestern Aceh province early on Wednesday, an Indonesian search and rescue official said. Credit:REUTERS/Beawiharta

TOPSHOTS Acehnese fishermen (R in boats) tow a boat of Rohingya migrants in their boat (L) off the coast near the city of Geulumpang in Indonesia's East Aceh district of Aceh province at dawn before being rescued on May 20, 2015. Hundreds of starving boatpeople were rescued off Indonesia on May 20 as Myanmar for the first time offered to help ease a regional migrant crisis blamed in part on its treatment of the ethnic Rohingya minority.

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TOPSHOTS Acehnese fishermen (R in boats) tow a boat of Rohingya migrants in their boat (L) off the coast near the city of Geulumpang in Indonesia's East Aceh district of Aceh province at dawn before being rescued on May 20, 2015. Hundreds of starving boatpeople were rescued off Indonesia on May 20 as Myanmar for the first time offered to help ease a regional migrant crisis blamed in part on its treatment of the ethnic Rohingya minority. Credit:AFP PHOTO / JANUAR

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A rescued migrant weeps upon arrival Simpang Tiga, Aceh province, Indonesia, Wednesday, May 20, 2015. Hundreds of migrants stranded at sea for months were rescued and taken to Indonesia, officials said Wednesday, the latest in a stream of Rohingya and Bangladeshi migrants to reach shore in a growing crisis confronting Southeast Asia.

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A rescued migrant weeps upon arrival Simpang Tiga, Aceh province, Indonesia, Wednesday, May 20, 2015. Hundreds of migrants stranded at sea for months were rescued and taken to Indonesia, officials said Wednesday, the latest in a stream of Rohingya and Bangladeshi migrants to reach shore in a growing crisis confronting Southeast Asia. Credit:(AP Photo/Binsar Bakkara)

Rohingya migrants who arrived by boat, take a bath in a temporary shelter at the port of Julok village in Kuta Binje, Indonesia's Aceh Province, May 20, 2015. Hundreds of Rohingya and Bangladeshi migrants landed in Indonesia's northwestern Aceh province early on Wednesday, an Indonesian search and rescue official said.

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Rohingya migrants who arrived by boat, take a bath in a temporary shelter at the port of Julok village in Kuta Binje, Indonesia's Aceh Province, May 20, 2015. Hundreds of Rohingya and Bangladeshi migrants landed in Indonesia's northwestern Aceh province early on Wednesday, an Indonesian search and rescue official said. Credit:REUTERS/Beawiharta

Rohingya migrant children who arrived by boat, receive biscuits from a volunteer at the port of Julok village in Kuta Binje, Indonesia's Aceh Province, May 20, 2015. Hundreds of Rohingya and Bangladeshi migrants landed in Indonesia's northwestern Aceh province early on Wednesday, an Indonesian search and rescue official said.

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Rohingya migrant children who arrived by boat, receive biscuits from a volunteer at the port of Julok village in Kuta Binje, Indonesia's Aceh Province, May 20, 2015. Hundreds of Rohingya and Bangladeshi migrants landed in Indonesia's northwestern Aceh province early on Wednesday, an Indonesian search and rescue official said. Credit:REUTERS/Beawiharta

A Rohingya migrant mother watches as her child drinks water after they arrived by boat at the port of Julok village in Kuta Binje, Indonesia's Aceh Province, May 20, 2015. Hundreds of Rohingya and Bangladeshi migrants landed in Indonesia's northwestern Aceh province early on Wednesday, an Indonesian search and rescue official said.

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A Rohingya migrant mother watches as her child drinks water after they arrived by boat at the port of Julok village in Kuta Binje, Indonesia's Aceh Province, May 20, 2015. Hundreds of Rohingya and Bangladeshi migrants landed in Indonesia's northwestern Aceh province early on Wednesday, an Indonesian search and rescue official said. Credit:Reuters

Rohingya youths use buckets to take shower outside a temporary shelter in Langsa, Aceh province, Indonesia, Tuesday, May 19, 2015. Indonesia has sheltered more than 1,000 Rohingya and Bangladeshi migrants who washed onto Aceh and North Sumatra provinces last week.

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Rohingya youths use buckets to take shower outside a temporary shelter in Langsa, Aceh province, Indonesia, Tuesday, May 19, 2015. Indonesia has sheltered more than 1,000 Rohingya and Bangladeshi migrants who washed onto Aceh and North Sumatra provinces last week. Credit:Binsar Bakkara

KUTA BINJE, INDONESIA - MAY 20: Rohingya women and children eat after arriving at the port in Julok village on May 20, 2015 in Kuta Binje, Aceh Province, Indonesia. Hundreds of Myanmar's Rohingya refugees have arrived in Indonesia, many requiring medical attention. Thousands more are believed to still be stranded at sea reportedly with no country in the region willing to take them in. Myanmar's Rohingya Muslim community have long been persecuted and marginalized by Myanmar's mostly Buddhist population.

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KUTA BINJE, INDONESIA - MAY 20: Rohingya women and children eat after arriving at the port in Julok village on May 20, 2015 in Kuta Binje, Aceh Province, Indonesia. Hundreds of Myanmar's Rohingya refugees have arrived in Indonesia, many requiring medical attention. Thousands more are believed to still be stranded at sea reportedly with no country in the region willing to take them in. Myanmar's Rohingya Muslim community have long been persecuted and marginalized by Myanmar's mostly Buddhist population. Credit:(Photo by Ulet Ifansasti/Getty Images)