Global aid for Rohingyas must increase amid funding decline: Home minister

Expressing concern over a significant decline in global assistance for the Rohingyas, Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed today (5 May) said it is now imperative to enhance international support to improve their living standards and meet their humanitarian needs.

Despite being one of the world's most densely populated countries, Bangladesh has sheltered a large number of Rohingya refugees purely on humanitarian grounds, said the minister.

He came up with the remarks when Ivo Freijsen, Representative of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) in Bangladesh, met the home minister at the Ministry of Home Affairs at the Secretariat.

He also noted that the United States has recently reduced its funding allocation by 50%.

During the meeting, they discussed the overall situation of the Rohingya population sheltered in Bangladesh, including international funding and repatriation issues.

Highlighting the current condition in the camps, the UNHCR representative said refugees are facing severe challenges due to high population density in a very limited space.

In response, the minister said expansion of camp areas is difficult given Bangladesh's socio-economic and geographical realities.

He stressed that safe, dignified and voluntary repatriation of the Rohingyas remains the most viable solution to the crisis.

Referring to the prevailing geopolitical situation, the minister said the Rohingya crisis should not be overshadowed by global issues such as the Gaza conflict, the Ukraine war and tensions between Israel and Iran.

He urged the United Nations and UNHCR to play a more proactive role in keeping the Rohingya issue high on the agenda at international platforms.

The UNHCR representative invited the minister to attend the Joint Response Plan (JRP) presentation on Rohingya refugees scheduled to be held on 20 May.