Episode: KPN 20-06-2026

EU allocates €14 Million to support Rohingya refugees and host communities in Bangladesh

The European Union (EU) has announced an additional €14 million in funding to support Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh and strengthen assistance for host communities in Cox’s Bazar, renewing its partnership with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR).

According to a UNHCR statement, the new development grant will benefit approximately 1.2 million Rohingya refugees and nearly 70,000 members of the Bangladeshi host community through protection services, resilience-building programs and livelihood support initiatives.

The contribution complements existing EU humanitarian assistance and follows previous multi-year development funding aimed at addressing the protracted Rohingya refugee crisis.

The funding will support a range of initiatives, including skills development programs, access to clean cooking fuel and other essential services designed to enhance self-reliance and improve living conditions for both refugees and local communities.

Michael Miller, Ambassador and Head of the European Union Delegation to Bangladesh, reaffirmed the EU’s commitment to supporting displaced Rohingya populations and the communities hosting them.

“As needs remain prolonged, our response must evolve,” Miller said. “This additional €14 million investment will help expand educational opportunities, strengthen skills development and support income-generating activities. It will improve living conditions for Rohingya refugees while also benefiting host communities in Cox’s Bazar.”

He added that the support aims to preserve dignity, strengthen resilience and equip refugees with practical skills that could assist them in rebuilding their lives and preparing for a voluntary, safe and dignified return to Myanmar when conditions permit.

UNHCR Representative in Bangladesh Ivo Freijsen welcomed the continued support, describing it as vital for refugee families who have endured years of displacement and hardship.

“We are grateful to the European Union for its steadfast support of Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh,” Freijsen said. “This contribution helps ensure access to essential protection services, meets critical humanitarian needs and sustains hope for a safer and more dignified future.”

UNHCR noted that overcrowded camp conditions, limited resources and prolonged displacement continue to expose refugees to significant vulnerabilities.

The agency emphasized the importance of maintaining comprehensive protection services within refugee camps, including safe shelters, well-lit public spaces, community-based protection mechanisms and accessible reporting systems to safeguard refugees’ rights and wellbeing.

Particular attention is being given to women and children, who face heightened risks of gender-based violence, human trafficking and exploitation.

The provision of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) remains a key component of the response, helping reduce the need for firewood collection, lowering health risks associated with indoor smoke and decreasing pressure on surrounding forest resources.

UNHCR also highlighted the importance of expanding livelihood opportunities and vocational training to reduce dependence on humanitarian aid and help refugees regain a sense of purpose and self-sufficiency.

The funding announcement comes ahead of World Refugee Day, observed annually on June 20, which recognizes the resilience of people forced to flee conflict, violence and persecution.

UNHCR said the occasion serves as an opportunity to reaffirm international solidarity with displaced populations and acknowledge the contributions of host communities.

As a leading global donor to humanitarian and development initiatives, the European Union continues to support long-term solutions focused on resilience and sustainable development.

UNHCR stressed that continued international support remains essential to ensuring refugees’ access to critical services and protection.

The agency is working alongside the Government of Bangladesh, humanitarian organizations and international donors under the 2025–2026 Joint Response Plan for the Rohingya humanitarian crisis.

The plan seeks $710 million in funding this year to address the most urgent needs of 1.2 million Rohingya refugees, including recent arrivals, and to ensure they can live in dignity until conditions allow for a voluntary, safe and rights-based return to Myanmar.

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