Dhaka calls for increased global funding as US halves assistance for Rohingya

The home minister warns that global attention on Israel’s attacks in Gaza and Iran risks overshadowing the Rohingya issue

Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed has called for increased international assistance for Rohingya refugees, citing a sharp reduction in US funding.

He made the appeal on Tuesday during a meeting with UNHCR’s representative in Bangladesh Ivo Freijsen.

During the meeting, the two sides discussed the current situation of Rohingya refugees sheltered in Bangladesh, global funding trends, and the prospects for repatriation.

Bangladesh has hosted a large number of Rohingya refugees on humanitarian grounds despite being one of the world’s most densely populated countries, Salahuddin said, expressing concern over declining international support.

“Funding from the United States has recently been reduced by 50 percent,” he said, adding that increased global assistance is now essential to maintain living standards and meet humanitarian needs.

Freijsen noted that refugees are facing difficult conditions due to high population density in limited camp areas.

In response, the home minister said expanding camp areas is challenging, given Bangladesh’s socio-economic and geographical constraints.

He stressed that a sustainable solution lies in ensuring the safe, dignified, and voluntary repatriation of Rohingya refugees to Myanmar.

“Amid global issues such as the Gaza crisis, the Ukraine war and tensions between Israel and Iran, the Rohingya crisis must not fall off the international agenda,” Salahuddin said.

He urged the United Nations and UNHCR to play a stronger role in keeping the issue at the forefront of international discussions.

Freijsen also invited the home minister to attend the upcoming presentation of the Joint Response Plan (JRP) on Rohingya refugees scheduled for May 20.