The government of Italy has renewed its commitment to over one million Rohingya people living in Bangladesh with a contribution of €3 million.
With this support, Italy will assist UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, and WFP, the United Nations World Food Programme, to sustain their critical humanitarian assistance in the refugee camps.
The support from Italy is key to promoting refugee rights and well-being, said a joint media release, shared by the UNHCR, on Thursday.
UNHCR, WFP, and their partners - alongside the government of Bangladesh - are
preparing to launch the 2025 Joint Response Plan (JRP) outlining the humanitarian needs of both Rohingya refugees and host communities.
However, funding has remained a critical challenge in recent years, said the UN Refugee Agency.
With €1 million going to UNHCR's protection interventions, ensuring safe living conditions and access to essential services such as registration, shelter, healthcare, water, sanitation, and hygiene.
The other €2 million will go towards WFP’s lifesaving food assistance for the
refugees and supports malnutrition prevention and treatment services for young children and pregnant and breastfeeding women.
"These contributions reaffirm Italy's commitment to the Rohingya population taking refuge in Bangladesh, also outlined by the Undersecretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Maria Tripodi, during her latest mission to Dhaka,” said Antonio Alessandro, Italian Ambassador to Bangladesh.
He said they commend UNHCR and WFP's work in the field, both of which provide support to this protracted and multifaceted humanitarian crisis.
These initiatives reflect Italy’s solidarity with the Rohingya people facing severe hardships, and their commitment in defending their dignity, said the Italian Ambassador.
“This contribution is a testament to the solidarity of the Italian people with the Rohingya refugees and the Bangladeshi host community. Knowing all too well that international support cannot be taken for granted, such generosity and advocacy are critical to keep the spotlight on a crisis that we can ill afford becoming forgotten,” said Sumbul Rizvi, UNHCR Representative in Bangladesh.
Dom Scalpelli, WFP Country Director in Bangladesh, said they are deeply grateful to Italy and the Italian people for their unwavering support.
"Eight years into this crisis, the humanitarian needs of nearly one million refugees in Cox’s Bazar and Bhasan Char remain as urgent as ever. It is imperative that we work together to ensure the Rohingya crisis remains a priority on the global agenda. We sincerely thank AICS and the Italian Embassy for their steadfast commitment to the survival and well-being of Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh," said Dom Scalpelli.
With limited livelihood opportunities, nearly all Rohingya refugees are dependent on
humanitarian assistance for their survival. Every person in the camps in Cox's Bazar
and on Bhasan Char now receives the equivalent of $12 per month from WFP to
purchase food.
Living in crowded conditions in the camps, they face crisis after crisis, as they are confronted with ongoing threats from climate change, fire hazards, and
insecurity.
Italy's contribution will be instrumental in maintaining food security, reducing disaster risk reduction, safeguarding the most vulnerable and bolstering community resilience.
It will also support efforts to promote peace and security within the camps, foster coexistence with host communities, and protect the fragile natural environment.
“Italy's contributions to UNCHR and WFP in support of Rohingya refugees in Cox's
Bazar camps demonstrate our strong commitment to addressing the needs of one of the world's most vulnerable populations.
This collaboration reflects Italy's broader
dedication to humanitarian principles and underscores the importance of international cooperation in responding to complex crises, ensuring that no one is left behind,"
said Margherita Lulli, Director of the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation in Hanoi, covering Southeast Asia.