Australia pledges A$25.25 million to sustain Rohingya Refugee assistance in Bangladesh

Australia has pledged A$25.25 million in multi-year humanitarian funding to the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) to support Rohingya refugees and host communities in Bangladesh, amid mounting concern that global funding shortages could further undermine essential services for one of the world’s most vulnerable displaced populations.

The Australian government and UNHCR announced the contribution in the presence of Bangladesh Foreign Minister Khalilur Rahman and Julian Hill, Australia’s Assistant Minister for Citizenship, Customs and Multicultural Affairs and Assistant Minister for International Education.

Funding to Cover Protection, Skills and Disaster Preparedness

The A$25.25 million contribution forms part of Australia’s humanitarian assistance for 2026–2028 and will support protection services, skills development programmes and disaster risk reduction measures for refugees living in fragile and disaster-prone areas.

The new commitment comes as uncertainty over global humanitarian financing threatens services on which Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh depend for food, shelter, healthcare, protection and other basic needs.

“Australia continues to respond to the most significant humanitarian crises in our region, making the region safer, more stable and resilient,” Hill said.

He reaffirmed Australia’s commitment to addressing the humanitarian needs of Rohingya people in both Myanmar and Bangladesh, while stressing that refugees ultimately want to return to their homeland.

“Displaced Rohingya want to return home, but the conditions in Myanmar need to be in place for their voluntary, safe, dignified and sustainable return,” Hill said, adding that those conditions require addressing the root causes of the crisis in Myanmar.

UNHCR Warns Rohingya Crisis Risks Losing Global Attention

Juliette Murekeyisoni, UNHCR Representative a.i. in Bangladesh, warned that the Rohingya crisis risks fading from international attention nearly nine years after the mass displacement began, particularly as new humanitarian emergencies compete for limited global resources.

“Australia’s continued support sends a strong message that the Rohingya people have not been forgotten,” Murekeyisoni said.

She said Rohingya refugees consistently express a desire to return home safely with their rights and dignity restored.

Until conditions in Myanmar permit a voluntary, safe and dignified return with full citizenship, she said, the international community must maintain its support for the refugees.

Australian High Commissioner to Bangladesh Susan Ryle also reaffirmed Canberra’s commitment to Rohingya refugees and the Bangladeshi communities hosting them.

“This latest contribution of A$25.25 million to UNHCR will help provide critical services to the most vulnerable, including women, girls and people living with disabilities,” Ryle said.

About 1.2 Million Rohingya Remain in Bangladesh

Around 1.2 million Rohingya refugees remain displaced in Bangladesh, most living in densely populated camps in and around Cox’s Bazar.

Hundreds of thousands fled Myanmar in 2017 following widespread violence and persecution in Rakhine State, joining Rohingya who had escaped earlier waves of persecution.

Most refugees remain heavily dependent on humanitarian assistance to meet their daily needs. Persistent funding shortages have increased vulnerabilities and contributed to harmful coping strategies, including dangerous maritime journeys in search of safety and opportunities elsewhere in the region.

Recent reports indicate that nearly 900 Rohingya died or went missing in 2025 while attempting perilous crossings through the Andaman Sea and Bay of Bengal.

Women, Children and Other Vulnerable Refugees Face Growing Risks

Funding shortages have particularly severe consequences for women and girls, people with disabilities, older refugees and other vulnerable groups.

An estimated 150,000 new Rohingya arrivals have entered the Bangladesh camps since 2024, with many still lacking adequate shelter and access to basic services, including clean cooking fuel.

Australia’s assistance is expected to help refugees access protection and essential services while promoting safer and more sustainable ways of coping with prolonged displacement.

Humanitarian agencies have also stressed that emergency assistance alone is insufficient. Expanding education and skills-development opportunities is considered increasingly important to strengthen refugees’ resilience and prepare younger Rohingya for a future beyond long-term camp dependency.

Safe Return to Myanmar Remains the Desired Durable Solution

For Rohingya refugees, a voluntary, safe, dignified and sustainable return to Myanmar remains the preferred long-term solution. However, humanitarian agencies and international partners maintain that repatriation can only take place when conditions in Myanmar guarantee refugees’ safety, rights, dignity and citizenship.

UNHCR said sustained international support will remain essential until durable solutions are achieved, enabling Rohingya refugees to live safely and with dignity while receiving urgently needed protection, assistance and opportunities.