By Madara Dias, MHR Program, University of Manitoba
Date: May 22, 2025
Current
situation in Bangladesh
As
the humanitarian crisis of the Rohingya enters its eighth year, Bangladesh
continues to bear the weight of hosting over a million displaced individuals
from Myanmar. Recently, Bangladesh has declared that it can no longer accept
new Rohingya refugees, citing national security concerns and the immense strain
on its resources. National Security Adviser Dr. Khalilur Rahman stated that
Bangladesh cannot afford another influx of Rohingyas, urging the Arakan Army to
ensure no further displacement of Rohingyas within Rakhine State. Despite this
stance, Rohingya continue to flee escalating violence in Myanmar, leading to a
complex humanitarian crisis at the Bangladesh-Myanmar border.
Bangladesh
currently hosts nearly one million Rohingya refugees, primarily in overcrowded
camps in Cox’s Bazar. Government officials have expressed that the country is
overwhelmed by the burden of supporting such a large refugee population, which
threatens its own security and stability. The interim government, led by Nobel
laureate Muhammad Yunus, has reiterated this position, emphasizing that
Bangladesh cannot accommodate additional refugees.
In
recent months, at least 18,000 Rohingya have crossed into Bangladesh due to
escalating violence in Myanmar’s Rakhine State, where clashes between the
military junta and the Arakan Army have intensified. Human rights organizations
report that thousands more are stranded at the border, facing dire conditions
and lacking access to humanitarian aid.
Bangladesh
continues to seek international cooperation, particularly from neighboring
countries and ASEAN members, to find a sustainable solution to the crisis. The
Government of Bangladesh has introduced the 2025 Joint Response Plan (JRP),
which is supported by UN agencies and international partners. This plan lays
out a comprehensive roadmap to support the well-being and resilience of
Rohingya refugees and their host communities. Among its most urgent and
strategic sectors are Food Security, Health, and Nutrition, which form the
lifeline for survival and dignity.
Food
Security: Feeding Families and Building Resilience
In
the sprawling camps of Cox’s Bazar and Bhasan Char, where thousands of families
rely entirely on external aid, food security remains a top priority. The JRP
allocates USD 287.1 million for this sector in 2025, aiming to reach 1.44
million people, including both Rohingya refugees and vulnerable members of
the host communities.
As
the implement strategies Bangladesh has presented-
- Electronic
food vouchers worth USD 12.50 per person per month will be distributed,
allowing families to choose from a range of fortified and fresh food items
at local outlets.
- Special
attention will be given to vulnerable households, such as those led by
women or children, the elderly, and people with disabilities.
- Emergency
rations and hot meals will be stocked for disaster responses.
- The
plan also invests in climate-smart agriculture, pond aquaculture, and home
gardening, empowering refugees and locals alike to grow food sustainably
and support peaceful coexistence.
These
efforts are not just about providing calories, but also restoring dignity,
independence, and hope.
Health
& Nutrition: From Survival to Strength
The
health situation in the camps remains precarious. Rohingya refugees face high
risks of disease, limited access to reproductive healthcare, and mental health
challenges stemming from trauma and displacement. With a budget of USD 92.3
million, the Health & Nutrition response aims to serve 1.18 million people.
Key
initiatives include:
- Primary
and secondary healthcare services tailored to the unique needs of
displaced populations, following the Minimum Package of Essential Health
Services (MPEHS).
- Maternal
and adolescent health, including reproductive healthcare and family
planning.
- Infectious
disease control, such as vaccinations and outbreak response for cholera,
hepatitis, and others.
- Integration
of mental health and psychosocial support (MHPSS) into existing services.
- Investments
in referral systems, inclusive access for persons with disabilities, and
an expanded health data management system to monitor and respond
effectively.
These
initiatives ensure not just access to healthcare, but the ability to heal,
grow, and plan for a better future.
Nutrition:
Ending the Hidden Hunger
Malnutrition
continues to silently endanger thousands of children, women, and elderly in the
Rohingya camps. The Nutrition sub-sector, with a dedicated budget of USD 44.9
million, zeroes in on some of the most vulnerable groups with life-saving and
preventive interventions.
What’s
included:
- Community-based
treatment of acute malnutrition through the CMAM approach.
- Supplementary
feeding programs for children under 5 and pregnant or breastfeeding women.
- Vitamin
A supplements, deworming, and micronutrient distribution for children and
adolescent girls.
- Counseling
on infant and young child feeding practices and behavior change campaigns.
- Support
for women-led microenterprises, including poultry farming and tailoring,
to bridge nutrition and livelihood goals.
All
interventions are underpinned by regular monitoring and data collection,
ensuring that efforts are targeted and effective.
The
Path Forward
While
the international community’s commitment has remained strong, the scale of need
in the Rohingya response continues to outpace funding. The food, health, and
nutrition sectors alone require over USD 424 million in 2025. With the
continued threat of climate-related disasters, disease outbreaks, and
deteriorating infrastructure, predictable and sustained funding is more
critical than ever.
Bangladesh
has shown extraordinary generosity and leadership in sheltering the Rohingya.
The 2025 JRP reflects a clear vision, not just to keep people alive, but to
help them live with dignity, resilience, and the skills they’ll need when it’s
finally safe to return home.
Bangladesh
is at maximum humanitarian capacity. The combination of chronic underfunding,
deteriorating infrastructure, mounting social and environmental pressures, and
the absence of global political solutions has forced the country to close its
doors to further arrivals. The priority now is sustaining the existing refugee
population, supporting host communities, and pressuring the international
community to find durable solutions especially the safe and voluntary return of
Rohingya to Myanmar and strengthen the international aids.
As
of the 2025 Joint Response Plan (JRP), Bangladesh and its humanitarian partners
require a total of USD 934.5 million to meet the critical needs of over 1.48
million Rohingya refugees and vulnerable members of host communities. Of this,
approximately USD 887.98 million has been allocated for the response in Cox’s
Bazar, and USD 46.54 million for operations on Bhasan Char, bringing the total
committed or pledged funding to around USD 934.52 million. This indicates that,
on paper, the funding target for 2025 has been nearly or fully met.
Even
though the funding target for 2025 seems to be fully met, much of the funding
is pledged and not fully disbursed, and several sectors remain heavily
dependent on a limited number of donors who posing significant risks to
continuity. Additionally, unforeseen factors such as new refugee arrivals,
inflation, and emergency needs could widen the funding gap later in the year.
Notably, the 2026 needs remain unfunded and will require a separate appeal
based on updated assessments.
Call to Action:
If
you’re part of the humanitarian, development, donor community, or a volunteer or
simply someone who cares to consider supporting the JRP. Every dollar funds a
plate of food, a vaccination, a safe birth, or a child’s chance to thrive. Your
further support is decisive in making a positive impact on the lives of
Rohingya civilians around Southeast Asia and those seeking refuge in the
Rohingya Refugee Camp, Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh. Please contact us at info@crric.org,
or visit our website at www.crric.org for more information.