Cross-border assistance work only when individuals are safe on both sides: EU

Cross-border "assistance" can only work when individuals are safe on both sides of the border and when governments agree, Ambassador and Head of Delegation of the European Union to Bangladesh Michael Miller said today (5 May), highlighting the needs of the Rohingya refugees.

"We have done cross-border assistance in other parts of the world, and it can work, but it can only work when individuals are safe on both sides of the border and when governments agree," he said while responding to a question on the definition of a corridor versus the definition of a passage at the "DCAB talk" held at Jatiya Press Club.

And those are the conditions, Ambassador Miller said, adding, "You cannot have a situation in which you try to work in this cross-border way, but it merely attracts attention from violent perpetrators of crimes. So, these are the caveats that I would want to see in place now."

On the definition of a corridor versus the definition of a passage, Ambassador Miller, however, said he is unable to give any inside information, but as a humanitarian partner for Bangladesh, they are quite happy to be pragmatic about how they can meet the needs of the refugees.

"If the refugees are here, we will meet their needs here, if they are on the other side of the border, because the situation might one day improve. We will also look at how we can channel assistance to them there, because it can be cross-border," he said.

The ambassador recognised that there is an enormous effort being made by Bangladesh hosting so many refugees from violence across the border.

"And we also recognise that there are even new arrivals to this day, which illustrates that the violence continues and that Rohingya living in the Rakhine state still feel insecure," he said.

So, unfortunately, Miller said, this is a crisis that goes on and on despite the best efforts of Bangladesh and of partners like the European Union, where they are indeed trying very hard to support a political solution, which is the only solution to this crisis.

He said the European Union imposed sanctions on members of the military regime and on those they consider to be perpetrating acts of unbelievable violence and cruelty on their own population on the other side of the border.

"But allow me to speak a bit beyond the political wish; we have to see a solution. So in very practical terms, we are standing alongside your authorities in helping you cope with the refugee presence in Cox's Bazar," said Ambassador Miller.

He said they have contributed over half a billion euros in humanitarian assistance since this wave of refugees started to come to Bangladesh.

"We have many conversations with the Bangladeshi authorities. Those conversations always conclude with a common understanding that return can only be safe, dignified and voluntary. We all know that the refugees should go back one day," he said, adding that they cannot go back in circumstances where their lives are at risk.

The European Union has maintained a consistent level of support over the past seven years.

In 2025, the European Union has already allocated over EUR 32 million to support the Rohingya refugees and their Bangladeshi host communities.

These funds are provided via the Joint Response Plan.

The European Union also supports Rohingya refugees who have fled to other countries in the region, as well as the Rohingya who remain in Myanmar. Our total support for the Rohingya since 2017 equals nearly 1 billion EUR provided together by the EU and its Member States.

Diplomatic Correspondents Association, Bangladesh (DCAB) hosted the event where DCAB President AKM Moinuddin and General Secretary Md Arifuzzaman Mamun also spoke at the event.