Dhaka: The United States urged the concerned countries of the Asian region ‘to work together to save lives at sea’ said US state department press office director Jeff Rathke on Thursday at the daily press briefing at Washington, DC.

‘We are concerned about the situation. This is an urgent regional challenge that needs to be addressed regionally through a coordinated international effort and in accordance with international conventions and with maritime law’ said Jeff Rathke.

‘We are coordinating with the affected government authorities, also with the UN high commissioner for refugees, the International Organisation for Migration.’

‘The priority is to save lives. And we appreciate that the governments of the region have accommodated many Rohingya and other refugees and we urge them to continue to do so.’

‘We also appreciate the efforts that are being made by the Thai Government to convene a regional conference on these issues. That would take place May 29th, but the priority right now is to save lives. So our ambassadors in all of these concerned countries are engaging governments to discuss ways of providing assistance so that that can be achieved.’

Rathke also said the US continues to raise these issues with the Burmese authorities as ‘there’s an urgent need to fulfil commitments to improve the living conditions of those affected, the humanitarian situation in Rakhine state. So we’re raising it with all of those governments.’

‘The priority has to be to save lives and we urge governments to continue to accommodate these people who are on the seas in their vicinity’, Rathke added.

When asked whether any US operation to rescue these people is likely, Rathke said, ‘This is a regional issue. It needs a regional solution in short order.’

He also said there is no contingency planning by the US right now.