Dhaka: The Government of Australia and the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) announced on Monday a contribution of AUD 25.25 million aimed at sustaining essential life-saving assistance and protection for Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh.
According to United News of Bangladesh, this flexible, multi-year funding is part of Australia’s humanitarian assistance package for 2026-28. The funds are designated to ensure the continuation of critical services for one of the world’s most vulnerable refugee populations, as well as their host communities. Foreign Minister Khalilur Rahman and Australia’s Assistant Minister for Citizenship, Customs and Multicultural Affairs, and Assistant Minister for International Education Julian Hill were present during the announcement.
The funding will enable UNHCR and its partners to maintain key services across the refugee camps, including protection activities, skills development programs, and disaster risk reduction measures for refugees residing in fragile and disaster-prone environments, as stated in a media release.
Assistant Minister Julian Hill emphasized Australia’s commitment to responding to significant humanitarian crises in the region, stating, “Australia remains committed to supporting the humanitarian needs of Rohingya in Myanmar and Bangladesh. Displaced Rohingya want to return home, but the conditions in Myanmar need to be in place for their voluntary, safe, dignified, and sustainable return. These can only be met by addressing the root cause of the crisis in Myanmar.”
Juliette Murekeyisoni, UNHCR Representative in Bangladesh, expressed concerns that the Rohingya crisis is at risk of fading from global attention. She stated, “Australia’s continued support sends a strong message that the Rohingya people have not been forgotten. Every refugee I speak to expresses the hope to return home safely, with their rights and dignity restored. Until conditions in Myanmar allow for voluntary, safe, and dignified return with full citizenship, the international community must remain steadfast in its support.”
Australian High Commissioner to Bangladesh, H.E Susan Ryle, reaffirmed Australia’s dedication to supporting Rohingya and their host communities by stating, “This latest contribution of AUD 25.25 million to UNHCR will help to provide critical services to the most vulnerable, including for women, girls, and people living with a disability.”
Since the outbreak of violence and persecution in 2017, approximately 1.2 million Rohingya refugees have remained displaced in Bangladesh, mostly in overcrowded camps near Cox’s Bazar. The majority rely almost entirely on humanitarian aid to meet their daily needs, and funding shortages have heightened vulnerabilities. This has sometimes led to dangerous coping mechanisms, such as perilous sea journeys in search of better opportunities.
Recent reports indicate that nearly 900 Rohingya refugees went missing or died in 2025 while attempting dangerous crossings in the Andaman Sea and Bay of Bengal. Australia’s ongoing support aims to foster safer and sustainable coping mechanisms, by enhancing access to protection and essential services.
Funding shortages disproportionately impact the most vulnerable groups, including women, girls, persons with disabilities, and the elderly. Since 2024, an estimated 150,000 new arrivals have joined the camps, with many still lacking adequate shelter and access to basic services like clean cooking fuel. After years of displacement, most Rohingya refugees remain almost entirely dependent on external assistance. While addressing immediate needs is vital, expanding access to education and skills development is equally crucial for building resilience and preparing refugees for a future beyond displacement.