The United Nations has urged the international community not to forget the plight of more than 1.2 million Rohingya refugees living in Bangladesh, warning that funding shortfalls could further worsen an already fragile humanitarian situation.
Speaking in Geneva, Babar Baloch said nearly nine years after the mass exodus from Myanmar, Rohingya refugees remain heavily dependent on humanitarian assistance, with most residing in camps in Cox’s Bazar.
The appeal comes amid growing global crises and increasing pressure on humanitarian budgets worldwide. Last month, the United Nations and its partners launched a revised humanitarian appeal seeking US$710.5 million to address the most urgent needs of Rohingya refugees and Bangladeshi host communities. The funding request is 26 percent lower than last year’s appeal despite rising needs.
According to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, humanitarian support since 2017 has helped provide food, healthcare, education and protection services to Rohingya refugees. However, significant challenges remain, particularly for women and girls, older people, persons with disabilities and approximately 150,000 new arrivals who fled renewed violence in Myanmar’s Rakhine State since early 2024.
UNHCR warned that continued conflict, persecution and insecurity in Myanmar have dimmed hopes for voluntary repatriation. As a result, increasing numbers of Rohingya are attempting dangerous sea journeys in search of safety and opportunities elsewhere. The agency noted that 2025 became the deadliest year on record for such voyages, with nearly 900 Rohingya reported dead or missing in the Andaman Sea and Bay of Bengal.
While the humanitarian appeal is currently 60 percent funded, UNHCR stressed that sustained international support remains essential to ensure refugees can live in safety and dignity until conditions allow their voluntary, safe and dignified return to Myanmar.
