Episode: KPN 31-01-2026

Bangladesh pushes renewed international action for Rohingya repatriation

Bangladesh has renewed its call for international action to ensure the repatriation of more than one million Rohingya refugees to Myanmar, describing return to Rakhine State as the only viable and sustainable solution to one of Asia’s longest-running displacement crises.

The position was reiterated during a meeting between Bangladesh’s interim leadership and the country representative of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), as Dhaka raised concerns over declining humanitarian aid, growing pressures on host communities and the long-term risks of prolonged encampment.

According to a statement from the Chief Adviser’s Press Wing, interim Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus made the remarks while meeting newly appointed UNHCR country representative Ivo Freijsen at the State Guest House Jamuna on Wednesday. Yunus urged the UN refugee agency to maintain active engagement in facilitating the safe and voluntary return of Rohingyas to Myanmar.

During the meeting, UNHCR highlighted what it described as a “dramatic decline” in international funding for Rohingya refugees living in camps in Bangladesh’s southeastern region, warning that shrinking aid has severely affected food assistance, healthcare and education services.

The agency stressed the need to expand livelihood opportunities and self-reliance initiatives to prevent further deterioration of conditions in the camps.

Bangladesh’s interim government said it has sought to keep the Rohingya issue on the global agenda through diplomatic outreach and high-profile engagements over the past year, including a visit by the UN Secretary-General to the camps during Ramadan. Despite these efforts, officials said international attention and financial support continue to fall short of what is required.

Yunus warned that prolonged confinement of refugees in camps was fuelling tensions with host communities and creating serious long-term risks. He said a growing generation of displaced Rohingya youth, increasingly exposed to digital technology but lacking education and opportunity, could become vulnerable to frustration and instability.

“The problem began in Myanmar, and the solution must also come from there,” Yunus said, stressing that repatriation must take place in safety and dignity.

The discussions also covered conditions on Bhasan Char island, where authorities have relocated thousands of Rohingyas. Yunus noted that many refugees had left shelters on the island and merged into the mainland population, presenting new administrative and security challenges for Bangladesh.

UNHCR officials said the agency’s newly appointed global chief has expressed interest in visiting Bangladesh and the Rohingya camps in the near future, continuing a pattern of high-level engagement that has remained in place since the mass displacement began in 2017.

Separately, Yunus briefed the UNHCR delegation on Bangladesh’s political transition, saying the interim administration was preparing for a free, fair and inclusive general election, alongside a planned referendum, as part of the country’s return to democratic governance.

Tagged as: Burma-Bangladesh border,  Arakan,  RSO,  Buthidaung,  BGB,  Burma,  Malaysia going boat,  IDP camp in Arakan,  Arakan Army,  Myanmar,  Military navy,  Kutupalong,  Cox's Bazar,  Rohingya boat people,  Maungdaw,  Military Council force,  Rakhine,  IIMM,  Rathedaung,  ARSA,  Rohingya,  war crimes,  Rohingya Refugee,  Camp schools,  Akyab,  Rohingya refugee camp,  community schools,  APBn,  RRRC,  foods shortage,  Balukhali,  Sittwe,  hungers,  Bangadesh refugee camp,  Teknaf,  ration cut,  BGP.