United News of Bangladesh

Acting Executive Director of the World Food Programme (WFP) Carl Skau has reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to mobilising food assistance for 1.3 million Rohingya refugees sheltered in Bangladesh, stressing that the crisis remains one of the top priorities for the Rome-based UN agency. The acting WFP chief made the comments when he called on Bangladesh Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus on Tuesday at a hotel in the Italian capital. The meeting focused primarily on the ongoing Rohingya crisis, famine situations in Gaza and Sudan and the growing challenges in mobilizing funds to combat global hunger affecting tens of millions, said Chief Adviser’s Deputy Press Secretary Abul Kalam Azad Majumder. Skau praised Prof Yunus for his leadership over the past 15 months, particularly his unwavering efforts to bring international attention back to the Rohingya humanitarian crisis. Both leaders emphasised the urgent need for increased funding to support the Rohingya refugees residing in camps in Bangladesh. FAO DG assures support for Bangladesh’s deep-sea fishing, fruit exports Skau commended the September 30 high-level UN meeting on the Rohingya issue—convened at Professor Yunus’s request—stating that it had successfully “brought international attention back to the crisis.”

The United States and the United Kingdom announced fresh aid commitment of 96 million dollars in the first ever high-level conference on the Rohingya and other Myanmar minorities at the UN headquarters on Tuesday, said Chief Adviser’s Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam. The US announced a new donation of 60 million dollars and the UK 36 million dollars, he told UNB. “Houses burned. Neighbours killed. Hope vanishing.” With those stark words, General Assembly President Annalena Baerbock opened the high-level UN conference, as alarm rises over the impact of Myanmar’s deepening crisis which threatens to destabilise the wider region. Assembly President Baerbock underscored the scale of suffering. “Over five million Rohingya men, women and children share some version of this story,” she said, noting that 800,000 children remain out of school in Bangladesh’s Cox’s Bazar camp alone. Humanitarian funding is critically short, with the 2025 response plan just 12 per cent funded. “This should put us to shame,” she declared, urging states to boost aid and pursue a political solution that would enable safe, voluntary and sustainable return. At the heart of the emergency are the Rohingya Muslims, denied Burmese citizenship, driven from their homes and forced into camps or exile, according to the UN news. More than a million now live as refugees in Bangladesh, while countless more remain displaced or trapped – alongside other minorities – inside Myanmar under conditions UN leaders described as “dire” and “unsustainable.” The conference at UN Headquarters in New York, brought together top UN officials, heads of state and governments, to galvanise action alongside Rohingya activists. Briefings and reports laid bare the daily realities since the February 2021 military coup: forced recruitment, sexual violence, airstrikes, starvation and mass displacement. Devise roadmap for Rohingya repatriation, act together to stabilise Rakhine: Prof Yunus Humanitarian agencies warn that resources are running out, leaving refugees malnourished and pushing more people into taking dangerous sea journeys. Conditions inside Myanmar’s Rakhine state – ancestral home of the Rohingya – are described as the worst in decades, with civilians caught between junta forces and ethnic armed groups. ‘Human Rights Trampled’ The Secretary-General, in a statement read by his Chef de Cabinet Courtenay Rattray, said the crisis has “trampled on the human rights, dignity and safety of millions and threatens regional stability.” He urged three immediate steps: protecting civilians in line with international law, guaranteeing humanitarian access, and reinvigorating investment to ease the strain on refugees and host communities. “The solution to this crisis lies ultimately in Myanmar,” the message stressed, calling for an end to persecution and recognition that “the Rohingya belong – as full citizens.” Humanitarian funding is critically short, with the 2025 response plan just 12 per cent funded. “This should put us to shame,” she declared, urging states to boost aid and pursue a political solution that would enable safe, voluntary and sustainable return. Demand for Accountability For Rohingya activists, the conference was not another moment of awareness but a demand for justice. Wai Wai Nu, founder of the Myanmar Women’s Peace Network, told delegates that the atrocities did not end in 2017, when over 750,000 Rohingya men, women and children fled violence described as a “textbook example of ethnic cleansing” by then UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Zeid Ra’ad Al Hussein. Rohingya Conference: Prospects for funding JRP next year grim, says Filippo Grandi “It has worsened,” she said, pointing to killings, forced conscription, sexual violence and starvation inflicted by both the Myanmar military and ethnic armed groups fighting the junta. “Without action, the Rohingya exodus will continue until there is no more Rohingya left in Myanmar,” she warned, urging cross-border humanitarian corridors, targeted sanctions and prosecutions for atrocity crimes. ‘A test for humanity’ Rofik Husson, founder of the Arakan Youth Peace Network, offered his own testimony of displacement and violence, recalling how the junta forced Rohingya men and boys into service, often as human shields. In one week alone, he said, at least 400 were killed. He described village burnings and drone strikes, including a May 2024 massacre that displaced 200,000 people in a single day. “Ending the crisis of insecurity for the Rohingya community is a test for this Assembly and a test for humanity itself,” he told delegates, calling for an internationally supervised safe zone in northern Rakhine. No Agreed Pathway to Peace Adding a wider lens, Special Envoy Julie Bishop stressed that Myanmar’s multifaceted crisis is inseparable from the political turmoil unleashed by the 2021 coup. With no ceasefire in place and armed conflict spreading, she warned that planned elections later this year would fuel further violence rather than deliver legitimacy. “There is no agreed pathway to peace,” she said, cautioning that international condemnation of the junta has ebbed even as abuses persist. A Fragile Hope Despite the grim accounts, speakers emphasised that solutions remain possible if political will can be summoned. US pledges support for Myanmar, Rohingya Baerbock closed her remarks by noting, “The Rohingya people have survived eight years of hardship, displacement and uncertainty. Their resilience is extraordinary. Our response must match it.” For Rohingya activists, the message was equally clear: declarations are no longer enough. “Justice is not optional…It is the only deterrent, the only path to peace,” Nu said.

International migration isn't just a global statistic; it's the raw pulse of human stories, sparked by fragile dreams of safety, prosperity, or family reunions, yet so often crushed under waves of heartbreak and hardship no one deserves. As of mid-2024, the latest UN figures peg the global international migrant stock at 304 million people, about 3.7% of the world's population, each one shouldering a personal saga of bravery, grief, and quiet resilience. These aren't faceless numbers; they're people like Ibtihal from Syria, who fled war in 2013 with her husband and five kids to Jordan, scraping by for over a decade before returning in 2025 to a ruined home that brought tears of joy and sorrow, as she whispered, "Life is truly painful." Or Harjit Singh from India's Punjab, who pawned family land for an $80,000 smuggling trek to the US, enduring jungles and detention only to be deported in debt, confessing, "I am broken inside… I don't see a future." And Maawia Alhassan from Sudan, a once-thriving shop owner who lost everything in 2023's conflict, fleeing alone to Uganda while agonizing over his missing wife and kids, holding on as he says, "The pain is immense, but I haven’t given up." Read more: Challenges mount  for Bangladesh as legal migration to Malaysia remains stalled Top Countries Hosting and Sending International Migrants You know how migration really works? It's not this neat little diagram; it's all over the place, with people heading out for decent work, dodging wars, coping with crazy climate stuff, or just holding onto family connections. The UN's newest numbers, fresh from their 2024 update that dropped in early 2025, have the total international migrants jumping from 275 million in 2020 up to 304 million by mid-2024, mostly because of big displacements and spots crying out for extra hands on deck. Primary Host Nations: Havens Amid Strain Host countries provide refuge and opportunity, but often at a cost to both newcomers and locals. The United States, home to over 52 million migrants, exemplifies this duality. Immigrants fuel innovation and growth, yet many, like undocumented farmworkers, toil in fields under harsh conditions, their contributions vital yet undervalued. Germany, with its welcoming policies, hosts millions fleeing conflict, but integration stories reveal struggles, such as language barriers that leave families feeling adrift. Table: Here are the top 10 host countries, based on UN data for 2024. Rank Country Migrant Stock (millions) 1 United States 52.4 2 Germany 16.8 3 Saudi Arabia 13.7 4 Russia 12.0 5 United Kingdom 9.6 6 United Arab Emirates 8.8 7 France 8.5 8 Canada 8.0 9 Australia 7.7 10 Italy 6.4 . Read more: Essential services for Rohingyas at risk of collapsing; 150,000 more enter Bangladesh in 18 months: UNHCR In Gulf states like the UAE, migrants from South Asia build skyscrapers but often face exploitative labor practices, their passports confiscated, binding them like modern-day indentured servants. Leading Countries of Origin: Roots of Departure Origin countries lose talent and youth, yet gain through remittances that sustain economies. India leads, with 18.5 million emigrants whose journeys are laced with sacrifice, think of Priya, a nurse in the UK, video-calling her children nightly, her heart torn between duty and longing. The top 10 origin countries in 2024: Rank Country Emigrants (millions) 1 India 18.5 2 Mexico 12.0 3 China 11.7 4 Russia  10.5 5 Syria 8.2 6 Philippines 6.5 7 Ukraine 6.0 8 Bangladesh 5.5 9 Pakistan 5.0 10 Afghanistan 4.8 Remittances reached $685 billion to low- and middle-income countries in 2024, often outpacing aid and investment, funding school fees and medical bills that keep families afloat. Read more: Rohingyas are victims of racial discrimination and prolonged statelessness: Prof Yunus

UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, on Friday said essential services for the whole Rohingya population are at risk of collapsing due to acute global funding crisis, noting that 150,000 Rohingyas entered Bangladesh over the last 18 months. With the acute global funding crisis, UNHCR spokesperson Babar Baloch said, the critical needs of both newly-arrived refugees and those already present will be unmet. This movement of Rohingya refugees into Bangladesh, spread over months, is the largest from Myanmar since 2017, when some 750,000 fled the deadly violence in their native Rakhine State. Bangladesh is now hosting over 1.3 million Rohingyas in Cox’s Bazar and Bhasan Char. The UNHCR and humanitarian partners are mobilizing to respond to the needs of up to 150,000 Rohingya refugees who have arrived in Cox’s Bazar in Bangladesh over the last 18 months. UNHCR and humanitarian partners also called on the international community to stand in solidarity with Bangladesh and other countries in the region hosting Rohingya refugees. "Until there is peace and stability in Myanmar’s Rakhine State, conducive to safe and voluntary return, the international community must continue to support efforts to provide life-saving assistance to Rohingya forced to flee," said Baloch. Among the new arrivals, nearly 121,000 had been biometrically identified by the end of June, with more believed to be residing informally in the already overcrowded refugee camps. The overwhelming majority are women and children. More humanitarian support is urgently required as the new arrivals are largely dependent on the solidarity of those living in the camps, overstretching severely diminished resources, the UN agency said. Biometric identification has allowed humanitarian partners in Bangladesh to provide the new arrivals with basic services, including food, medical care, education and essential relief items. However, this will soon dry up without an immediate injection of funds. Access to shelter and other key necessities is also insufficient in the face of limited resources. Unless additional funds are secured, health services will be severely disrupted by September and essential cooking fuel (LPG) will run out. BSF pushes 31 people, including 14 Rohingyas into Sylhet "By December, food assistance will stop. Education for some 230,000 children – including 63,000 new arrivals – is at risk of being discontinued," UNHCR Spokesperson said. "Refugees in the camps have already felt the impact of these reductions. They fear more cuts are looming," Baloch mentioned during the media briefing in Geneva. This is fuelling a sense of desperation and anxiety, and driving some to embark on dangerous sea journeys to other countries in search of safety and a more dignified life for their families, the UNHCR thinks. The border between Bangladesh and Myanmar remains "officially closed" and under surveillance by Border Guard Bangladesh. UNHCR and humanitarian partners are "grateful" that the government of Bangladesh has authorized newly-arrived Rohingya refugees to access emergency assistance and key services in the camps in Cox’s Bazar. "As the conflict in Myanmar continues unabated, however, we are advocating with the Bangladeshi authorities to provide managed access to safety and asylum for civilians fleeing the conflict," Baloch said. Over the years, the Spokesperson said, the generous support from Bangladesh and the international community has been critical in meeting Rohingya refugees’ most basic needs and providing protection. Every aspect of the refugee response is affected by the funding scarcity, Baloch said. Targeted violence and persecution in Rakhine State and the ongoing conflict in Myanmar have continued to force thousands of Rohingya to seek protection in Bangladesh. Bangladesh has generously hosted Rohingya refugees for generations.

China and Canada foresee ‘intense collaboration’ with Bangladesh in trade diversification and investment and assured continued support for humanitarian assistance to forcefully displaced Myanmar nationals. This was conveyed by the Foreign Ministers of China and Canada on Thursday during meetings with Foreign Adviser Md Touhid Hossain on the sidelines of 32nd ASEAN Regional Forum taking place in the Malaysian capital of Kuala Lumpur. The Foreign Adviser is leading the Bangladesh delegation to the 32nd ARF Ministerial Meeting that is scheduled to be held on Friday. While having a meeting with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, both sides expressed confidence in the future prospects of the bilateral ties. The Chinese Foreign Minister expressed China’s full support to the reform initiatives of the government of Bangladesh and assured China's cooperation in many priority areas, such as, medical tourism and water management, said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. China keen to deepen ties with Bangladesh’s next elected govt: Fakhrul Recalling the recent Investment Conference of China in Bangladesh, he expressed China’s interest to work with Bangladesh in the field of textiles, energy, light engineering, among others. The Foreign Adviser acknowledged with deep appreciation the political and development support extended by China to the current Government led by Professor Muhammad Yunus. He reiterated Bangladesh’s call for urgent and immediate solution of the Rohingya crisis and solicited China’s support in this regard. Hossain also urged China to support Bangladesh in regional and multilateral platforms, including in the United Nations. Later in the afternoon, the Foreign Adviser met Canadian Foreign Minister Anita Anand where both sides discussed possible means to expand bilateral relations, especially in the field of trade, including through trade diversification and resilience building. The Canadian Foreign Minister also expressed Canada’s support in addressing the longstanding Rohingya crisis. China keen to set up industries at Mongla: Press Secretary The Foreign Minister was accompanied by Ambassador Shameem Ahsan, High Commissioner of Bangladesh to Malaysia, Md Forhadul Islam, Director General of Ministry of Foreign Affairs and other senior officials of Bangladesh.

Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus has called for global action against racial injustice and highlighted the plight of the Rohingya people, who remain victims of racial discrimination and prolonged statelessness. Since 2017, Bangladesh has sheltered over a million forcibly displaced Rohingyas, but their repatriation to Myanmar remains the only sustainable solution to this protracted crisis, he said in a message on the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination. UNHCR deplores funding cuts in humanitarian sector putting millions at risk The global community must engage actively to ensure their early repatriation to their homeland in Myanmar, Dr Yunus said. On this occasion, Bangladesh reaffirmed its unwavering commitment to combating racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia, and related intolerance in all its forms. This year marks the 60th anniversary of the adoption of the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination (ICERD). Dhaka calls for stronger global cooperation, investment to advance gender equality "As a state party to ICERD, Bangladesh upholds non-discrimination as a core principle of governance and society," said the Chief Adviser.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, who will visit the Rohingya camp together with Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus on Friday afternoon, will "issue a call" to the international community to step up their humanitarian assistance for these men, women and children who have already suffered so much. He will share an Iftar with the refugees, to be hosted by Dr Yunus. A million Rohingyas will break fast in their camps in Cox's Bazar with Guterres and Chief Adviser Dr Yunus. "Every Ramadan, I spend time with Muslim communities living in difficult circumstances, to observe the fast with them and help shine a spotlight on their plight. This year I’m in Bangladesh to express my solidarity with Rohingya refugees and the Bangladeshi people hosting them," Guterres said on his Ramadan solidarity visit. Foreign Affairs Adviser Touhid Hossain and High Representative of Chief Advisor on Rohingya Issue and Priority Matters Dr Khalilur Rahman met with the UN chief at Hotel InterContinental on Friday morning and discussed the issues related to the Rohingya crisis. The UN chief had a bilateral meeting with the chief adviser and they are scheduled to leave Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport for Cox’s Bazar by a chartered Biman Bangladesh flight at 11:15am today (Friday), a senior official told UNB. Guterres arrived in Dhaka on Thursday afternoon with a packed schedule for Friday and Saturday, featuring a series of meetings and greater engagements in Cox’s Bazar Rohingya camp, before his departure on Sunday morning. Guterres and Dr Yunus will meet there with Rohingya refugees who have been forcibly displaced from their homes in Myanmar. UN chief to inspire Rohingyas with hope for safe return: Shafiqul Alam They will meet with the host Bangladeshi communities who have been so generous in hosting them. On Saturday in Dhaka, the secretary-general will meet with youth and representatives from civil society, said an official at the UN office in Dhaka. He will also have a joint press conference with the Foreign Adviser Hossain on Saturday afternoon. And we will update you on all of the secretary-general’s activities. Chief Adviser’s Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam on Thursday said Guterres, who is now in city on a four-day Ramadan solidarity visit, will give the Rohingya community a message of hope that they will be able to return to their homeland soon in dignity and with safety, and that all of their rights will be fully established and respected. "We would also urge that the Secretary General will invest his exceptional leadership to make progress toward the objective of their early repatriation and ensure that international aid to Rohingyas are not adversely affected," Alam said while responding to some queries that he received from the media. Regarding contact with Arakan Army, the Press Secretary said considering the newly emerged situation in the Rakhine state, they ought to act and safeguard their border security, stability and peace. "Therefore, we are keeping operational contact with the actors on the other side of the border," Alam said. He said the solution of the Rohingya issue lies in sustainable repatriation of the Rohingyas back to Myanmar. Dr Yunus, UN chief Guterres to visit Rohingya camps Friday This should be the highest priority of the international community, Alam said, adding that Bangladesh is relentlessly working toward this objective. Bangladesh has been hosting over 1.2 million Rohingya refugees for long eight years. In recent months. around 80,000 more Rohingyas have entered Bangladesh. "It is beyond the capacity of Bangladesh to continue to host the forcibly displaced Rohingyas," Alam said. He said the international support for Rohingyas has taken a turn for the worse, leading to the decision to cut the daily food ration for the Rohingyas. "This will severely affect their nutritional status, particularly women and children. It will also have serious social and security implications, including safety and security within the camps and in the host community," Alam said. He said they reiterate Bangladesh's appeal to all donors and the UN system to ensure that the assistance to Rohingyas is given high priority and aid to them does not diminish. Global focus on Rohingya crisis to return through UN chief’s visit: Govt In light of the dire humanitarian situation in Rakhine State, the press secretary said, Bangladesh will positively consider supporting UN-led humanitarian assistance to the state.

Foreign Affairs Adviser Md Touhid Hossain on Sunday said Bangladesh had to accept over 60,000 Rohingyas under certain circumstances through various unofficial channels, including border-related corruptions, despite its decision in principle not to allow any new arrival from Myanmar. “We had a position in principle that no new arrival one will be allowed. No one was allowed formally. Another thing we need to keep in mind that there is huge corruption in the border. And it is true,” he said while talking to reporters at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on his recent informal consultation at the ministerial level among Myanmar and its five neighbouring countries. The six-nation consultation was held in Bangkok on Thursday under the chairmanship of the Thai Foreign Minister Maris Sangiampongsa. The meeting was attended, among others, by Myanmar Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Than Swe. Bangladesh must address pressing challenges, seize opportunities: Foreign Adviser Responding to a question, Hossain said the Rohingyas are not entering Bangladesh through a single route; they are coming through multiple routes, making it very difficult to stop. Asked about a potential new influx of Rohingya refugees, he dismissed such possibility. "I do not believe another influx will occur, although many are concerned. We too share these concerns, but we must take measures to prevent it, working with the international community," Hossain said. Meanwhile, speaking at a seminar on Sunday morning, Adviser Hossain said they are aware of the civil war situation currently prevailing in Myanmar, and the 1.2 million Rohingyas who were forcibly displaced from the Rakhine state under extreme atrocities, and are sheltered in Bangladesh for the last 7 plus years. There has been no progress in their repatriation and the situation is further complicated by a non-state actor, the Arakan Army taking control of the entire border with Bangladesh, he said. Referring to his meeting in Bangkok, the Foreign Adviser said, "I told them in no uncertain terms that peace and order will not be possible in Myanmar, and consequently in the region, unless the Rohingyas lodged in Myanmar can go back to their homes with security and rights." It is incumbent on Myanmar and the regional powers to create a congenial atmosphere for their return, he said. “I had the scope to talk in details as it was an informal discussion and I explained our position clearly,” Hossain told reporters at the foreign ministry.     Take action-orinted initiatives, harness technology: Prof Yunus tells D-8 members “If Rohingya problem is not resolved, peace and stability that you are thinking of will never be achieved,” he said, while conveying Bangladesh’s position during the meeting in Bangkok. Hossain also said if the Rohingyas, mostly young people, cannot be given a hope and if no light is seen at the end of the tunnel, they will become desperate and they will do desperate activities. “I made it clear to them.” The Foreign Adviser said offenders are on the both sides of the border and in the Rohoingya camps and they made huge money through illegal activities. If these issues are not addressed, peace cannot be achieved, he said.  Hossain informed Myanmar that the border is no longer under their control; rather it is now controlled by non-state actors like the Arakan Army. “As a state, we cannot engage with a non-state actor. Myanmar must find a way to resolve the issues related to the border and Rakhine." In Bangkok, Hossain reiterated the call for a "comprehensive roadmap" for Rohingya repatriation with priority attached to ensuring stability in Rakhine State. Dhaka seeks ‘comprehensive roadmap’ for Rohingya repatriation He urged ASEAN and other key regional actors to play a further proactive role in restoring peace, security, and democracy in Myanmar. “Bangladesh has every interest to see lasting peace, stability and democracy in Myanmar, and a conducive environment in Rakhine State for the Rohingya to have confidence to go back there in safety and dignity," Hossain affirmed.

Regional Vice President (Asia) of the International Rescue Committee (IRC) Adnan bin Junaid has said the IRC is committed to enhancing resilience and helping both Bangladeshis and the Rohingyas adapt to environmental shocks. “IRC recognises that climate change is a critical challenge for both the Rohingya and host communities in Cox’s Bazar and southern Bangladesh, including Satkhira, Khulna, Barishal, and Patuakhali,” he told UNB in an interview, adding that the hardship of these communities further exacerbates by climate-induced disasters like flooding, cyclones and extreme weather events. President Erdoğan invites Prof Yunus to visit Turkey, assures full support The IRC senior leader said their strategies include disaster preparedness training for community members and local authorities, ensuring early warning systems are in place, and conducting evacuation drills. “We also support climate-smart agriculture initiatives that improve food security and generate income for both refugees and host communities in Cox’s Bazar and Southern Bangladesh,” he said. Besides, Junaid said, they collaborate closely with the government of Bangladesh, local authorities and communities to develop Local Adaptation Plans (LAPAs) that address specific climate risks in regions like Satkhira and Barishal. These plans prioritise sustainable resource management, climate risk reduction and community participation to create long-term strategies for managing the impacts of climate change. “Additionally, we are expanding our impact through cash transfer programmes, providing direct financial assistance to the most vulnerable populations in Cox’s Bazar and southern Bangladesh,” Junaid said. The IRC advocates for global support for climate adaptation funding and policies to help reduce vulnerability. “Through these efforts, we aim to strengthen resilience, ensuring that both refugees and host populations can thrive despite the compounded challenges of climate change,” Junaid said. In line with their broader goals, the IRC Vice President said they are also advocating for increased global attention to the climate crisis in Bangladesh, calling for stronger international support for climate adaptation funding, resilience-building programs and policy changes that can help reduce the vulnerability of at-risk populations, including refugees and host communities. “Looking ahead, we are excited to build on our initiatives in climate adaptation, climate-smart agriculture, and green skills development. By leveraging our expertise from 44 countries, we will enhance coordination among donors, organisations, government entities and local communities,” he said. Through this collaborative approach, the IRC aims to ensure that the Rohingya and host populations in Cox’s Bazar and Southern Bangladesh are not only able to survive but also thrive in the face of the climate crisis while building long-term resilience for future generations. Responding to a question, Junaid said as the Rohingya crisis enters its eighth year, the IRC is adapting its strategy to ensure sustainable support despite declining international funding and the prolonged displacement of Rohingya communities. Recognising the complexity of the situation, he said, they are focusing on short-term programmes to ensure basic services and long-term resilience building for both the Rohingya and host communities. This includes strengthening partnerships with local actors and authorities to ensure the continuity and effectiveness of services. “By prioritising community-based approaches, we are enhancing local capacity to respond to ongoing needs while creating more sustainable solutions,” he said. In response to the funding challenges, the IRC is also advocating for flexible, long-term funding commitments from donors to ensure that programs can continue without disruption. “We are expanding efforts to mobilize resources from a diverse range of funding sources, including through public-private partnerships, to address the growing needs of the Rohingya and host populations,” he said. IRC is focusing on strengthening resilience through programs that promote livelihoods, education, mental health support, protection and climate adaptation, ensuring that the affected communities can withstand shocks and improve their long-term prospects. By adapting to the shifting landscape of humanitarian aid, the IRC aims to continue its support for those in need while advocating for sustained global attention to the crisis. Responding to a question, Junaid said IRC believes that the resolution of the Rohingya crisis lies in Myanmar, however, the current conditions in Myanmar, especially in Rakhine State, remain volatile and conflict-ridden, making safe repatriation highly challenging. Given the geopolitical complexities, he said, a realistic approach to the Rohingya crisis must consider sustainable alternatives to repatriation that uphold the dignity, self-reliance, and resilience of Rohingya communities while also supporting host communities.

Foreign Affairs Adviser Md Touhid Hossain on Wednesday expressed “deep concern” over the recent influx of more than 40,000 Myanmar nationals into Bangladesh fleeing conflict in the bordering states. “Regional stability is crucial for both the nations,” the Adviser emphasized when Ambassador of Myanmar to Bangladesh Kyaw Soe Moe paid a maiden call on the Foreign Adviser at the latter's office. The Foreign Adviser reiterated the need for the safe and sustainable repatriation of the displaced Rohingya population, underscoring the importance of peace and stability in Myanmar. During the meeting, they discussed a range of bilateral issues including sustainable repatriation of Rohingya people. Hossain stressed that Bangladesh and Myanmar, being two close neighbours, have certain challenges in the bilateral relations that need to be resolved on a priority basis. The Myanmar Ambassador acknowledged the difficulties caused by the conflict, explaining that efforts toward the repatriation of displaced persons had been delayed due to the ceasefire breakdown by the Arakan Army in November 2023. Read: Bangladesh protests killing of Bangladeshi fisherman by Myanmar Navy The Foreign Adviser expressed hope that the Myanmar government and other key players would soon engage in constructive dialogue to address the crisis. He highlighted the security concerns stemming from the volatile border situation such as rise in human trafficking. Adviser Hossain reaffirmed Bangladesh’s commitment to enhancing regional cooperation with South-East Asian Countries, where Myanmar is a vital gateway. He sought Myanmar’s support for Bangladesh’s bid to become a part of ASEAN’s Sectoral Dialogue. They also discussed strengthening bilateral trade, increasing people-to-people contact, and the potential resumption of direct flights between Dhaka and Yangon. They emphasized finalizing the coastal shipping agreement currently under negotiation between the two countries. Read more: Myanmar deports over 50,000 illegal foreigners Ambassador Kyaw Soe Moe conveyed his government’s gratitude to Bangladesh for providing shelter, food, and medical support to Myanmar troops, as well as facilitating their repatriation after they had recently crossed into Bangladesh amidst the ongoing conflict in Rakhine.