Don’t forget Rohingyas

The UN Refugee Agency and its partners have called on the international community not to forget the 1.2 million refugees in Bangladesh, as the world marks nine years since the large-scale forced displacement of Rohingya.

At a briefing in Geneva yesterday, UNHCR spokesperson Babar Baloch said generous support from Bangladesh and the international community had been critical in meeting the refugees’ basic needs and providing protection.

Since 2017, humanitarian funding has allowed Bangladesh to sustain life-saving assistance and make major progress in refugee education, health and protection, but significant humanitarian needs persist.

“Without continued international solidarity, the plight of Rohingya families will deteriorate,” Baloch said.

Amid sharp reductions in humanitarian and development support, Rohingya refugees remain largely reliant on aid. Limited economic opportunities and reduced assistance continue to affect households.

“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,” he added.

Late last month, the Bangladesh government, the UN and its partners appealed for $710.5 million to meet the most urgent needs of Rohingya refugees and local host communities.

Despite growing needs, this hyper-prioritised appeal is 26 percent less than last year.