by News Report (English) by, Information analysis and collector Siddikur Rahman;
In a renewed effort to support displaced communities, the Government of Japan and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) have signed an agreement to provide $2.6 million in humanitarian assistance for Rohingya people living in refugee camps in Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh.
According to a UNHCR press release issued on Thursday (March 5), the funding will support the provision of shelter materials, primary healthcare services, and clean cooking stoves for Rohingya refugees. The agreement was formally signed between Japan’s Ambassador to Bangladesh, Saida Shinichi, and the UNHCR Representative in Bangladesh, Ivo Freijsen.
The financial assistance aims to help sustain critical humanitarian services in one of the most densely populated refugee settlements in the world, where more than 1.18 million stateless Rohingya refugees continue to live in uncertain conditions. Nearly nine years after fleeing targeted persecution and violence in Myanmar, the Rohingya community still relies heavily on international humanitarian support for safety and survival.
Freijsen expressed appreciation for the continued support from the people of Japan, noting that global humanitarian funding cuts are threatening life-saving programs in refugee camps. He emphasized the importance of maintaining support for refugees and host communities in Bangladesh until political progress in Myanmar allows for safe, voluntary, and dignified repatriation.
Ambassador Shinichi also highlighted Japan’s commitment to improving the living conditions of Rohingya refugees. He said the additional funding reflects Japan’s strong partnership with UNHCR and its determination to contribute to a safer and more stable future for the Rohingya community.
As part of the project, 32,000 Rohingya families will receive clean cooking stove sets, complementing UNHCR’s liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) distribution program. The initiative is expected to reduce the risks associated with collecting firewood, particularly for women and children, while also helping to protect the surrounding forest environment.
Working closely with the Government of Bangladesh, UNHCR and its partners are currently preparing updates for the 2026 Joint Response Plan (JRP) to address the ongoing Rohingya humanitarian crisis. Since 2017, Japan has contributed nearly $260 million to support Rohingya refugees and host communities in Bangladesh.
