The appeal aims to address the escalating needs of the refugee population, which includes approximately one million Rohingya living in overcrowded camps in Bangladesh. Most of these refugees fled Myanmar following a military crackdown in 2017.
The United Nations and its partners have launched a significant appeal for $934.5 million to provide critical aid to nearly 1.5 million Rohingya refugees and their host communities in Bangladesh. The call comes as part of the 2025-26 Joint Response Plan (JRP) for the Rohingya humanitarian crisis, unveiled on Monday in Geneva.
The appeal is being led by the International Organization for Migration (IOM) and the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR), in collaboration with the Government of Bangladesh and over 100 humanitarian partners. It aims to address the escalating needs of the refugee population, which includes approximately one million Rohingya living in overcrowded camps in Bangladesh. Most of these refugees fled Myanmar following a military crackdown in 2017.
In its eighth year, the Rohingya crisis continues to suffer from dwindling international attention, exacerbating the challenges faced by this vulnerable population. The appeal emphasizes the critical need for funding to avoid catastrophic consequences, such as food shortages, inadequate shelter, and a lack of basic services. Without sufficient resources, many refugees may be forced into desperate measures, including perilous boat journeys in search of safety.
The UN highlighted the specific vulnerabilities faced by Rohingya women and children, who make up a significant portion of the refugee population. Over half of the refugees are women and girls, many of whom are at heightened risk of gender-based violence and exploitation. Additionally, one-third of the population is aged between 10 and 24, with limited access to education or opportunities for skills development. The lack of such resources leaves their futures uncertain.
Impact on Bangladesh’s host communities
Filippo Grandi, UN High Commissioner for Refugees, and Amy Pope, IOM Director General, stressed the importance of sustained international support during the appeal presentation. They underscored that the ongoing conflict in Myanmar’s Rakhine State makes conditions unsafe for the voluntary and dignified return of refugees, further entrenching the crisis.
The appeal also calls attention to the impact on host communities in Bangladesh, who have shown remarkable generosity despite their own economic challenges. The JRP aims to support both refugees and host populations through measures that include protection, basic shelter, food assistance, and initiatives to promote self-reliance.
“This is a multi-year plan, but the needs are immediate,” said Grandi during the Geneva presentation. “We cannot let funding shortages compromise the well-being of such a vulnerable population.”
The international community has been urged to respond promptly and generously to the appeal to prevent a worsening humanitarian crisis. Until peace and stability are restored in Myanmar, the Rohingya refugees will remain reliant on global assistance to survive and rebuild their lives.
For these refugees, life in the camps is a daily struggle, marked by uncertainty and hardship. The UN’s appeal is a critical step in ensuring that the Rohingya and their host communities receive the support they desperately need in the face of unrelenting challenges.
Image: IOM
