UNHCR reports first voluntary Rohingya repatriation, with 82 returning last week

In a rare and cautious development, at least 82 Rohingyas reportedly returned spontaneously to Myanmar's Rakhine state last week, in what appears to be the first known instance of voluntary repatriation since the mass exodus of 2017, according to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR).

The individuals, some of whom had fled forced recruitment efforts last year, cited hopes of restarting their businesses and reclaiming farmland as the main motivations behind the return, the UNHCR said in its latest report on the humanitarian cross-border situation in northern Rakhine and Cox's Bazar from 12 to 18 May.

The development has prompted careful optimism in Bangladesh, which has long maintained that repatriation of over one million forcibly displaced Myanmar nationals (FDMNs) must be safe, voluntary, and dignified under international standards.

According to the UNHCR report, an additional 30 to 40 Rohingyas are expected to return to Maungdaw in the coming days, expressing hope that the Arakan Army (AA), the ethnic armed group that now controls much of Rakhine state, would provide some form of documentation or assurances.

While no coercion has been reported so far, the UNHCR noted that the situation remains ambiguous as "it is unclear what assurances, if any, the AA has provided to the returnees."

The Arakan Army, which has emerged as a de facto authority in parts of Rakhine following Myanmar's civil unrest, is reportedly accepting bribes to allow returns and are questioning returnees about conditions in Cox's Bazar camps and activities of organised groups, said the report.

Bangladesh, which currently hosts more than 1.2 million Rohingyas, has repeatedly urged the international community to put pressure on Myanmar to create conditions conducive to repatriation, including citizenship guarantees and protection from persecution.

Meanwhile, the humanitarian outlook for Rohingya refugees remains grim. The UNHCR reiterated its call for international solidarity and renewed support for countries in the region that continue to host Rohingya populations.

Until the security situation in Rakhine is conducive for voluntary and safe return, the international community must continue supporting critical humanitarian operations, the UN agency said.

UNHCR has appealed for $383.1 million for 2025 to support Rohingyas and host communities in Bangladesh, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand and Myanmar.

As of mid-May, only 30% of the funding target has been met, the report added.