Newsman, Bangladesh

The International Organization for Migration (IOM) and UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, have issued an urgent appeal for enhanced international support for Rohingya refugees and their host communities in Bangladesh, warning that dwindling resources and escalating violence in Myanmar have left the refugees in an increasingly precarious situation (UN News).

The newly launched 2025-26 Joint Response Plan (JRP) for the Rohingya Humanitarian Crisis calls for $934.5 million in its first year to provide life-saving assistance to 1.48 million people, including Rohingya refugees and local host communities.

The plan, presented in Geneva by IOM Director Amy Pope, UN High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi, and Bangladesh’s High Representative on Rohingya Affairs, Dr. Khalilur Rahman, marks the first-ever multi-year funding appeal for the crisis.

A Crisis at Breaking Point

Now in its eighth year, the Rohingya humanitarian crisis has become a prolonged emergency. Over 1 million Rohingya refugees currently reside in 33 overcrowded camps in Cox’s Bazar and on Bhasan Char island, where they remain entirely dependent on humanitarian assistance for survival.

The ongoing conflict in Myanmar, particularly since late 2023, has worsened the situation. Thousands of new refugees have fled to Bangladesh amid intensified violence across the border, adding further strain on already stretched resources (UN News).

The UN Independent International Fact-Finding Mission on Myanmar has previously found strong evidence of crimes against humanity and genocidal intent targeting the Rohingya population, making their safe return unlikely shortly.

Growing Protection and Security Concerns

The security situation in the refugee camps has deteriorated significantly. Organized criminal groups have expanded their operations, leading to increased killings, abductions, extortion, and forced recruitment, including of children and youth.

According to a 2024 assessment, 51% of Rohingya households cited theft as their top security concern, while 48% feared the presence of armed groups, and 38% reported concerns about kidnappings.

Additionally, gender-based violence (GBV) and human trafficking are on the rise, with women and girls at particular risk. Limited economic opportunities have made child marriage and exploitative labor more common among the Rohingya population as families struggle to survive.

Humanitarian Funding Shortfalls and Dire Consequences

Despite Bangladesh’s significant contributions and strong political and financial backing from international donors, funding shortfalls have had severe consequences (Reuters):

• Food assistance cuts in 2023 led to a surge in malnutrition rates, which remain alarmingly high.
• Six of 15 key WASH (water, sanitation, and hygiene) indicators have deteriorated since 2022, increasing the risk of cholera and Hepatitis C outbreaks.
• Education and skills development programs have been severely underfunded, leaving nearly 500,000 Rohingya children without formal schooling.
• Aging shelter infrastructure and limited site management have left thousands vulnerable to extreme weather events, including landslides and cyclones.
• Rohingya refugees on Bhasan Char, an island settlement, face limited livelihood opportunities, protection risks, and mental health concerns, with reported cases of self-harm and suicide increasing in 2024.

A Call for Renewed Commitment

The Bangladesh government, which has hosted the Rohingya refugees on humanitarian grounds since the mass exodus of August 2017, continues to push for a voluntary, safe, and dignified return of the Rohingya to Myanmar. However, with no political solution, the international community must sustain its humanitarian response (UN News).

As global crises compete for attention and resources, the fate of the Rohingya refugees hangs in the balance. Without urgent and sustained international support, their situation could become even more desperate, forcing many into risky migration routes, where they face exploitation, trafficking, and even death at sea.

The 2025-26 Joint Response Plan underscores that while humanitarian aid alone cannot resolve the crisis, it remains essential for preserving lives and dignity until a long-term political solution emerges.