United News of Bangladesh

Tahsan Khan, popular Bangladeshi singer, song-writer, actor and TV host, on Wednesday renewed his engagement as a goodwill ambassador for UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency. “It has been nine years since the Rohingya fled Myanmar and sought shelter and safety here in Bangladesh. Without a sustainable solution in sight, it is essential to continue advocating for continued compassion with their plights is far from being done,” said Tahsan. He met families who have endured unimaginable loss and hardship. "Their strength inspires me, and I want to use my voice to amplify their stories.” Tahsan, UNHCR’s first Goodwill Ambassador in Bangladesh, was first appointed in 2021. Tahsan is one of 36 Goodwill Ambassadors for UNHCR, a dedicated group of prominent supporters playing a critical role in advancing UNHCR’s mandate by mobilizing public support and drawing attention to the needs and rights of people forced to flee, UNHCR officials told UNB. The extension of Tahsan’s appointment reflects UNHCR’s appreciation for his continued commitment and its shared resolve to ensure that refugees are not forgotten. He has since supported UNHCR’s advocacy and public engagement, helping raise awareness and inspire positive change in support of the plight, resilience, and rights of refugees. “Tahsan has been a dedicated advocate for refugees over the years. His engagement reflects the empathy and a deep sense of responsibility we all need in such time,” said Ivo Freijsen, UNHCR representative in Bangladesh. “We are proud to extend his appointment and look forward to continuing our collaboration to promote protection and hope for refugees. In a country that generously hosts over one million refugees, such a voice counts.” Over the years, Tahsan actively supported UNHCR’s work with Rohingya refugees in Cox’s Bazar, including visits to refugee camps, engagement with refugee communities, and participation in global advocacy moments such as World Refugee Day. In 2025, Tahsan visited the site of a recent fire that destroyed part of the camp, seeing firsthand the devastation fire can bring to the camps, impacting thousands of lives. He called the fire a tragic reminder of the hardship that Rohingya refugees continue to face. “The refugees I met told me of their wish to return home, voluntarily, when it is safe for them to do so,” Tahsan said during his visit. “Until that is possible, we must continue to stand by them, providing them with support, protection and life-saving services, supporting their resilience and keeping hope alive”. He expressed his sincere gratitude to the UNHCR team for their tireless efforts in alleviating the refugee crisis, especially given the significant risks associated with their work. Bangladesh currently hosts nearly 1.2 million Rohingya refugees, the vast majority living in 33 densely populated camps in Cox’s Bazar district, one of the largest settlements in the world. Many Rohingya refugees have now lived in the camps for almost nine years, with restricted access to formal education, livelihoods, and long-term opportunities.  

Nearly 900 Rohingya refugees died or went missing in the Andaman Sea and the Bay of Bengal in 2025, making it the deadliest year on record for sea crossings in South and Southeast Asia, according to the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR). The agency said more than 6,500 Rohingya attempted the dangerous sea journey during the year, with around one in seven reported dead or missing. This marks the highest death toll recorded on any major maritime route used by refugees and migrants worldwide, it said. UNHCR mentioned that more than half of those attempting the journey in recent years have been women and children, a trend that has continued into 2026. Between January and April 13 this year, more than 2,800 Rohingya have already attempted the crossing. The dangers were highlighted by a recent tragedy in which an overloaded boat departing from Bangladesh sank in rough seas in the Andaman Sea on 26 March. Around 250 people are believed to be missing. Nine survivors were later rescued near the Andaman Islands on 9 April. UNHCR said it is providing medical, psychological and counselling support to survivors and is ready to assist local authorities. Despite the risks of trafficking, exploitation and death at sea, return to Myanmar voluntarily, safely and with dignity. However, ongoing conflict, persecution and lack of citizenship prospects continue to prevent their return. Many Rohingya continue to attempt the journey. The overcrowded and unsafe boats usually depart from Cox’s Bazar in Bangladesh or Rakhine State in Myanmar, heading towards Indonesia or Malaysia. UNHCR said many Rohingya refugees want to return to Myanmar voluntarily, safely and with dignity. However, ongoing conflict, persecution and lack of citizenship prospects continue to prevent their return. At the same time, a severe funding shortage has reduced humanitarian assistance in Bangladesh, while instability in refugee camps and limited access to education and livelihoods are pushing some to take dangerous routes. The agency has called on countries in the region to save lives by tackling human trafficking networks, addressing the root causes of displacement, expanding safe and legal migration pathways, and strengthening regional cooperation. More than 1.3 million Rohingya refugees and asylum seekers are currently displaced across the region, including about 1.2 million in Bangladesh. The 2025 Joint Response Plan has so far received only 53 percent of the required funding, highlighting an urgent need for greater international support.

UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, on Friday called on States to address the root causes of displacement, expand safe and legal pathways, and strengthen regional cooperation to save lives and combat smuggling and trafficking, noting that 2025 was deadliest year yet for maritime movements of Rohingya refugees. "In 2025, nearly 900 Rohingya refugees were reported missing or dead in the Andaman Sea and Bay of Bengal, making it the deadliest year on record for maritime movements in South and South‑East Asia," said UNHCR spokesperson Babar Baloch in response to questions received at press briefing at the Palais des Nations in Geneva. Grandi welcomes Barham Salih as newly elected UNHCR chief Over 1.3 million Rohingya refugees and asylum-seekers remain displaced across the region, including 1.2 million in Bangladesh, where the 2025 Joint Response Plan was only 53 per cent funded, underscoring the urgent need for increased international support, according to data from UNHCR. More than 6,500 Rohingya attempted perilous sea crossings that year, with one in seven reported missing or dead, the highest mortality rate worldwide of any major route for refugee and migrant sea journeys. In recent years, over half of those attempting these crossings have been women and children. The trend continues in 2026, with more than 2,800 Rohingya undertaking dangerous sea journeys between January and 13 April. The severity of the data has been underlined by the most recent and tragic incident in the Andaman Sea, where an extremely overcrowded boat that departed Bangladesh on 26 March reportedly capsized due to rough seas, leaving an estimated 250 people missing, Babar Baloch said. Nine survivors were rescued on 9 April near the Andaman Islands. UNHCR is providing counselling and referrals for medical and psychosocial support to Rohingya survivors and is ready to support local authorities. Despite the extreme dangers – including trafficking, exploitation, and death at sea – thousands of Rohingya refugees continue to undertake these journeys, said the UNHCR spokesperson. Boats, often overcrowded and unseaworthy, typically depart from Cox’s Bazar in Bangladesh or from Rakhine State in Myanmar towards Indonesia or Malaysia. While most Rohingya refugees wish to return to Myanmar once conditions allow for a voluntary, dignified and safe return, ongoing conflict, persecution and the absence of citizenship prospects leave them with little hope, Babar Baloch said. Meanwhile, severe funding shortfalls have significantly reduced humanitarian aid in Bangladesh, compounded by insecurity in the camps and limited access to education and livelihoods, pushing refugees towards dangerous onward movement, UNHCR said.

Canadian High Commissioner to Bangladesh Ajit Singh on Sunday said Canada remains a ‘longstanding and steadfast partner’ in the Rohingya crisis response and accounted CAD 10 million contributions to provide clean, safe and sustainable cooking fuel for the Rohingyas in Cox’s Bazar. “This climate-responsive humanitarian contribution will reduce deforestation and carbon emissions in an environmentally fragile district that will benefit refugees, Bangladeshis, and the wider population,” said the High Commissioner. He said it will also lower the risks to vulnerable people, especially women, girls, and children, including those that stem from gathering firewood. “Canada is pleased to provide this $10 million contribution to UNHCR and IOM to strengthen environmental protection that benefits us all, as well as advance the wellbeing of vulnerable Rohingya refugees,” said the High Commissioner. The funding to UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, and IOM, the International Organization for Migration, will ensure the continued provision of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) to the Rohingya, essential for them to cook, while helping to preserve the fragile environment surrounding the camps and improve safety, health and dignity for refugees, particularly women and children, said the UN agency. Cox’s Bazar, one of the most climate-vulnerable regions of Bangladesh, faces recurrent flooding, landslides, cyclones, fires and environmental degradation. Since the start of LPG distribution to Rohingya refugees, the programme has reduced firewood use by 80% among refugee households, preventing an estimated 407,000t of CO₂ emissions every year. “Nine years on, Rohingya refugees are navigating one of the world’s most difficult displacement situations – protracted crisis compounded by climate vulnerability,” said UNHCR Deputy Representative in Bangladesh Juliette Murekeyisoni. “Canada’s support comes at a crucial time, and I am deeply grateful for it. Sustained international solidarity remains critical to ensuring that refugees can live in dignity while we work toward conditions for their voluntary, safe, and dignified return.” Chief of Mission for IOM in Bangladesh Giuseppe Loprete said safe, reliable energy is fundamental to the well-being of families who have experienced immense hardship for the past nine years. “We thank Canada for their generous support, which ensures that refugees can avoid dangerous firewood collection and live in healthier environments, while also protecting local forests and biodiversity.” The provision of LPG has been central to the response since 2018. Studies have shown it has dramatically improved indoor air quality in the densely populated camps and lowered household spending on cooking fuel. The UN refugee agency said Canada’s contribution will support LPG access for some 243,500 refugee households and help conserve up to 10,700 hectares of protected forest in Cox’s Bazar. It also strengthens community resilience by stabilizing slopes, reducing landslide risks, and lowering human wildlife conflict around ecologically sensitive areas.

The number of people displaced in Lebanon due to intensifying Israeli attacks has risen sharply. Speaking to reporters in Geneva from Beirut, the UN refugee agency’s representative in Lebanon said more than 100,000 people were newly displaced across the country within the past 24 hours. Karolina Lindholm Billing said that, as of now, over 667,000 people in Lebanon have registered as displaced on the Lebanese government’s online platform, marking an increase of 100,000 in just a single day. Israel accused of using white phosphorus in southern Lebanon She noted that the current situation reflects a “faster pace of displacement” compared with 2024, when Israel and Hezbollah were engaged in their previous war. Sources- Al Jazeera

The government of Japan on Thursday renewed its commitment to Rohingyas in Bangladesh, pledging USD 2.6 million for shelter materials, primary healthcare, and clean cooking sets. An exchange of notes was signed by Saida Shinichi, Ambassador of Japan to Bangladesh, and Ivo Freijsen, UNHCR Representative in Bangladesh. Japan’s generous support enables UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, to maintain critical services in one of the world’s most densely populated refugee camps, where 1.18 million stateless Rohingya reside in precarious conditions. Continued global assistance key to bolstering Bangladesh’s Rohingya response: UNHCR Nine years since being forced to flee targeted persecution and conflict in Myanmar, Rohingya families still depend heavily on humanitarian assistance for safety, protection and survival. In congested camps seasonally exposed to torrential rain, strong winds and drought, most Rohingya shelters are built of bamboo and tarpaulin, and regularly require urgent repairs. Japan’s commitment covers essential repair materials for some 3,300 households, as well as the training and engagement of 300 shelter volunteers from the Rohingya community, said the UN refugee agency. UNHCR welcomes Italy’s contribution of EUR 2.5mn for essential assistance to Rohingyas It also strengthens health services through primary healthcare centres and health posts and engaging 162 refugees as community health workers. These crucial livelihoods opportunities promote self-reliance and community ownership, and create hope. The people of Japan’s steady support is deeply appreciated as the Rohingya enter their ninth year of displacement, said Freijsen. “Steep reductions in global aid threaten lifesaving programmes and risk reversing critical achievements. In partnership with generous Bangladeshi host communities, we must safeguard and improve refugees’ dignity and well-being until political engagement in the context of Myanmar enables conditions for safe and voluntary return.” Ambassador Saida expressed his hope that the support from the government of Japan will lead to improved living conditions for Rohingya refugees. “I am delighted to announce Japan’s supplementary fund to UNHCR for critical assistance to Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh. We are confident this partnership with UNHCR will bring tangible positive change, and Japan remains committed to supporting a more secure and stable future for the Rohingya community,” said Ambassador Saida. The grant also provides stove sets for 32,000 Rohingya households. Complementing UNHCR’s liquified petroleum gas (LPG) distribution, these stove sets offer refugees cleaner cooking solutions, eliminating risks linked to firewood collection and use. Women and girls face fewer protection challenges, and children spend more time in classrooms. LPG also prevents environmental degradation, allowing restoration of the area’s forested hills. UNHCR and its partners, working with the government of Bangladesh, are preparing to launch the 2026 updated Joint Response Plan (JRP) for the Rohingya humanitarian crisis. Japan has been a leading partner in the Rohingya response, contributing over USD 260 million to UNHCR and other UN agencies as well as Bangladeshi NGOs since 2017. As humanitarian support continues to shrink globally, sustained and steadfast assistance of donors such as Japan is crucial until a durable solution can be achieved.

Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus has said the Rohingya crisis is still not receiving the global attention it deserves, despite the interim government’s efforts over the past year to spotlight the issue through a series of high-profile initiatives, including a visit by the UN Secretary-General to the camps during Ramadan. He said the prolonged stay of the Rohingyas in the camps could never be a solution, as it had already created tensions with host communities, and called for renewed international efforts to ensure repatriation. “The problem began in Myanmar, and the solution must also come from there. A frustrated and angry young generation is growing up in the camps, with access to technology. This is not good news for anyone. Our job is to make sure they return to their homeland in peace and dignity,” the Chief Adviser said.

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.

Around 82 Rohingya individuals spontaneously returned to Maungdaw, Myanmar from May 12 to 18, motivated by intentions to restart their businesses and resume farming their land, according to a document published by the UN Refugee Agency - UNHCR. This is the first case of voluntary return of Rohingyas to Myanmar since 2017, a senior official told UNB referring to the UNHCR document published on May 22. An additional 30-40 Rohingya are expected to return, expressing hope that the Arakan Army (AA) would provide them with some form of documentation, according to the UNHCR updates on the humanitarian cross-border situation in Rakhine and Cox's Bazar. In 2017, an influx of approximately 750,000 Rohingya refugees from Myanmar, triggered by military crackdowns in Rakhine State, crossed the border into Bangladesh. This large-scale displacement added to the already existing Rohingya refugee population in Bangladesh, bringing the total number to over a million. Some are reportedly youth who fled forced recruitment in 2024, and now believe the situation in Maungdaw has since improved. The AA is reportedly accepting bribes to allow returns and are questioning returnees about conditions in Cox's Bazar camps and activities of organized groups. "While no coercion has been reported, it remains unclear what assurances, if any, AA has provided to the returnees," the official said quoting the UNHCR document. The AA reportedly detained five individuals (four Bangladeshis and one registered refugee) who entered Myanmar in the reporting week. While the four Bangladeshis were released, the AA are detaining the refugee in custody for suspected links with Rohingya organized groups RSO and ARSA, demonstrating AA's heightened suspicion toward cross-border movement from Bangladesh to Myanmar. Since January 2024, some 10,291 Myanmar individuals are reported to have faced refoulement-related incidents as they fled Rakhine State to seek safety in Bangladesh, UNHCR said.  Bangladesh in touch with India over push-ins, port-related restrictions: Foreign Adviser Some 2,613 of these refoulement-related incidents occurred in 2025, making up almost a quarter of all such incidents. During the reporting period, 10 individuals (all Rohingya) were reportedly denied access to Bangladesh, 88 per cent less than the previous week (87), including one registered refugee who moved back to Myanmar several years ago but was forced to flee again due to the conflict. UNHCR, together with IOM, DRC and IRC, continues to triangulate information received through border monitoring and community sources to provide an estimate of new arrivals in the camps and host community areas. The reduction may be due to increased restrictions imposed by the Arakan Army (AA) on movement to Bangladesh, according to UNHCR. AA members are reportedly detaining Rohingya attempting to seek safety in Bangladesh, imposing strict restrictions on movement for Rohingya living in Buthidaung. One registered refugee removed from India was released by the District Police in Kurigram and brought to the camps following advocacy by UNHCR and its legal partners. Meanwhile, the UNHCR called on the international community to stand in solidarity with the countries in the region that have been hosting Rohingya refugees. Until the situation in Myanmar’s Rakhine State is peaceful and conducive to safe and voluntary return, the international community must continue to support efforts to provide life-saving assistance to Rohingya refugees, said the UN agency.  UNHCR requires $383.1 mln in 2025 to stabilize lives of Rohingyas, host communities UNHCR requires $383.1 million in 2025 to stabilize the lives of refugees and their host communities across Bangladesh, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand and those displaced inside Myanmar. So far, UNHCR said, only 30 percent of this amount has been received.

UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, has called on the international community to stand in solidarity with the countries in the region including Bangladesh that have been hosting Rohingya refugees. Until the situation in Myanmar’s Rakhine State is peaceful and conducive to safe and voluntary return, the international community must continue to support efforts to provide life-saving assistance to Rohingya refugees, said the UN agency.  Meeting with UNHCR: Foreign Secy highlights negative impacts, reiterates Rohingya repatriation only solution UNHCR requires $383.1 million in 2025 to stabilize the lives of refugees and their host communities across Bangladesh, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand and those displaced inside Myanmar. So far, only 30 per cent of this amount has been received. The UNHCR is gravely concerned about reports of two boat tragedies off the coast of Myanmar earlier this month, with estimates that 427 Rohingya perished at sea. This would be the deadliest tragedy at sea involving Rohingya refugees attempting to find safety this year. Nearly 1 out of 5 people attempting perilous sea movements in this region have been reported as dead or missing so far in 2025, making the Andaman Sea and Bay of Bengal waters amongst the deadliest in the world. Details are still being confirmed, but reports suggest that some 514 Rohingya were travelling on two separate boats. The first boat carried 267 people. Among them, over half reportedly left from refugee camps in Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh while the remainder departed from Rakhine State in Myanmar. The boat sank on 9 May, with only 66 survivors. The second boat carried 247 Rohingya – also refugees from Cox’s Bazar camps and those fleeing Rakhine State – and capsized on 10 May, with just 21 survivors. UNHCR is working to verify details concerning the survivors. There are reports of a third boat, carrying some 188 Rohingya, which was intercepted leaving Myanmar on 14 May.  UNHCR deplores funding cuts in humanitarian sector putting millions at risk “The dire humanitarian situation, exacerbated by funding cuts, is having a devastating impact on the lives of Rohingya, with more and more resorting to dangerous journeys to seek safety, protection and a dignified life for themselves and their families,” said Hai Kyung Jun, Director of UNHCR’s Regional Bureau for Asia and the Pacific. “The latest tragedy is a chilling reminder that access to meaningful protection, especially in countries of first asylum, as well as responsibility sharing and collective efforts along sea routes, are essential to saving lives." With the annual monsoon season having already arrived in the region, bringing strong winds, rainfall and rough seas, these boats were travelling at a particularly dangerous time, reflecting the desperation of those making such journeys. Saving lives and rescuing those in distress at sea is a humanitarian imperative and a longstanding duty under international maritime law. UNHCR calls on authorities in the region to take urgent action to prevent future tragedies.