Australia and BRAC have signed a new AUD18 million (Tk 155 crore) agreement to support Rohingyas and host communities in Bangladesh.

Australian High Commissioner to Bangladesh Susan Ryle and BRAC Executive Director Asif Saleh signed the deal on Wednesday in the presence of Disaster Management and Relief Minister Asadul Habib Dulu, said the Australian High Commission on Thursday.

Australia's flexible, multi-year funding will enable BRAC to sustain essential services for Rohingyas and host communities in Cox’s Bazar and Bhasan Char who continue to live in complex conditions.

BRAC activities will support health services, water, sanitation, education, disaster risk management, skills development and protection services in camps and host communities.

This includes support to local organisations through BRAC's localisation fund that will strengthen national partners’ capacity, enable cost-effective delivery at scale and expand coverage in underserved camps.

The agreement is part of Australia’s AUD 370 million (Tk 3,162 crore) humanitarian package for 2026-2028 to Rohingyas and host communities in Bangladesh and people in Myanmar.

Since 2017, Australia has committed AUD 1.26 billion (Tk 10,770 crore) in humanitarian assistance in response to this regional crisis.

Australia said it remains steadfast in its support to the government of Bangladesh in providing humanitarian assistance to displaced Rohingyas in Bangladesh and their host communities.

It is critical that the Rohingyas continue to have access to essential support until conditions are in place for a voluntary, safe, dignified and sustainable return to Myanmar, said the High Commission.