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🇧🇩 Bangladesh /Culture & Society

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From Daily Star · () English

Summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

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  • The UN Refugee Agency and partners urged continued international support for 1.2 million refugees in Bangladesh, marking nine years since the Rohingya exodus.
  • Generous aid has met basic needs and improved education and health, but significant humanitarian needs persist amid funding reductions.
  • A recent appeal for $710.5 million is 26 percent less than last year, highlighting increased needs and reduced support for vulnerable groups.

Nine years after the large-scale forced displacement of Rohingya refugees, the UN Refugee Agency and its partners are calling on the international community not to forget the 1.2 million individuals currently residing in Bangladesh. The ongoing humanitarian crisis requires sustained support to meet the refugees' basic needs and ensure their protection.

generous support from Bangladesh and the international community had been critical in meeting the refugees’ basic needs and providing protection.

— Babar BalochUNHCR spokesperson Babar Baloch highlighted the importance of past support.

Babar Baloch, spokesperson for UNHCR, emphasized that substantial support from Bangladesh and the global community has been crucial in providing life-saving assistance. This funding has enabled significant progress in refugee education, health, and protection services since 2017. However, Baloch warned that without continued international solidarity, the plight of Rohingya families will likely deteriorate.

The situation is becoming more acute due to sharp reductions in humanitarian and development support, leaving refugees largely dependent on aid. Limited economic opportunities and decreased assistance are impacting households significantly. Vulnerable groups, including women, girls, people with disabilities, and older individuals, face even greater challenges. The recent influx of approximately 150,000 new arrivals fleeing renewed violence in Myanmar's Rakhine State since early 2024 further exacerbates the situation.

Without continued international solidarity, the plight of Rohingya families will deteriorate.

— Babar BalochBabar Baloch warned about the consequences of reduced international engagement.

In response to growing needs, Bangladesh, the UN, and its partners recently appealed for $710.5 million to address the most urgent requirements of Rohingya refugees and local host communities. Despite the escalating crisis, this appeal represents a 26 percent decrease compared to last year's funding request, underscoring the widening gap between needs and available resources.

The situation is more acute for vulnerable groups, including women and girls, people with disabilities, and older people, and some 150,000 new arrivals who fled renewed violence in Rakhine State since early 2024.

— Babar BalochBabar Baloch described the heightened challenges faced by specific refugee demographics and recent arrivals.
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Originally published by Daily Star. Summarized and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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