The government of Australia has committed AUD16 million (Tk137 crore) in multi-year funding to UNICEF to sustain life-saving support for Rohingya children and host communities in Bangladesh.
Australian High Commissioner in Dhaka Susan Ryle and UNICEF Bangladesh Representative Rana Flowers signed an agreement in this regard at the Ministry of Home Affairs in the presence of Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed on Wednesday.
Australia’s contribution to the crises uniquely provides flexible, predictable funding that is critical in the current humanitarian context, according to a statement.
This flexible funding will enable UNICEF to allocate resources where and when needed most, adapt quickly to emerging challenges, and sustain essential services for children living in complex and evolving conditions, it said.
The new agreement is part of Australia’s 2026-2028 AUD370 million (Tk 3,162 crore) humanitarian package to Myanmar and Rohingya and host communities in Bangladesh.
Since 2017, Australia has committed AUD1.26 billion (Tk 10,770 crore) in humanitarian assistance to the regional crisis.
Australia remains steadfast in supporting the government of Bangladesh to provide humanitarian assistance for displaced Rohingyas in Bangladesh and their host communities.
Through the humanitarian partnerships, Rohingyas can access essential support until conditions are in place for a voluntary, safe, dignified and sustainable return to Myanmar, the statement added.