UN Warns Funding Cuts May Exacerbate Rohingya Crisis in Bangladesh

The UN refugee agency has issued a warning regarding declining humanitarian funding for approximately 1.2 million Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh. This follows the arrival of around 150,000 more Rohingya Muslims since early 2024 due to renewed violence in Myanmar.

Funding from global donors is tightening, making it difficult for the UN and its partners to maintain support for one of the world’s largest refugee populations. The US and some European countries have also reduced funding for international aid.

A $710.5 million appeal was launched last month to fund food, shelter, healthcare, education, and protection services. However, this appeal is only about 60% funded, highlighting mounting financial strain.

The funding push precedes the ninth anniversary of the August 2017 military crackdown in Myanmar’s Rakhine State, which led to the displacement of some 750,000 Rohingya to Muslim-majority Bangladesh.

Despite years of assistance, life for the Rohingya in Bangladesh remains difficult. Overcrowded and fragile camps face threats from extreme weather, disease, and insecurity, with limited access to basic services exacerbating hardships.

Recent food ration cuts have deepened hardship, while vulnerable groups such as women, children, the elderly, and people with disabilities face the greatest risks. As conflict in Myanmar continues, prospects for a safe return remain slim, with many Rohingya attempting perilous sea journeys to Malaysia or Indonesia. UNHCR has urged donors to continue supporting the refugees until safe returns can occur.