United News of Bangladesh

On World Refugee Day, UN High Commissioner for Refugees Barham Salih called on countries around the world to reinforce their support for the nearly 42 million people who have been forced to leave their home countries due to conflict, violence, or persecution. Salih emphasised the positive impact refugees have on the communities that host them, noting their roles as workers, students, neighbours, artists, athletes, entrepreneurs, and leaders. “Given the opportunity, they rebuild their lives and help strengthen the societies around them,” he said ahead of World Refugee Day, observed annually on 20 June. Bangladesh at the heart of global refugee responseFor Bangladesh, World Refugee Day serves as a reminder of one of the world's largest and most prolonged refugee crises. Nearly a decade after fleeing violence and persecution in Myanmar, around 1.3 million stateless Rohingya refugees continue to live in camps in southeastern Bangladesh. Despite immense pressure on resources, Bangladesh has remained one of the world's leading refugee-hosting nations, providing shelter and humanitarian access to displaced Rohingyas. However, the situation is entering what the UN refugee agency describes as a "fragile phase." According to UNHCR, declining international funding, worsening camp conditions and limited livelihood opportunities are increasing the vulnerability of refugee families. Most Rohingyas remain heavily dependent on humanitarian assistance, with only a small proportion able to earn income through cash-for-work programmes. The agency warned that women, children, older persons, people with disabilities and approximately 150,000 newly arrived refugees who entered the camps since early 2024 are among the most vulnerable groups. Bangladesh has renewed its call for the early repatriation of the Rohingya refugees to Myanmar. State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaed Islam has called for stronger international action to protect civilians, uphold international humanitarian law and ensure sustained global support for the safe and dignified repatriation of Rohingyas to Myanmar. She made the call while speaking at a high-level panel discussion of the 2026 Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) Humanitarian Affairs Segment at the United Nations Headquarters in New York on Thursday, according to the Permanent Mission of Bangladesh to the UN. Speaking at a UN briefing by the Secretary-General’s Special Envoy on Myanmar on June 19, Bangladesh’s Permanent Representative, Ambassador Salahuddin Noman Chowdhury underscored that the Rohingya crisis originated in Myanmar and that its durable solution must also be found there. He noted that hosting approximately 1.2 million Rohingyas for nearly a decade has placed significant social, economic, environmental and security burdens on Bangladesh. Reaffirming Bangladesh’s commitment to a peaceful resolution of the crisis, the Permanent Representative urged the international community and key regional actors to intensify diplomatic efforts and engagement to facilitate the early repatriation of the Rohingyas to Myanmar. Rising challenges UN Secretary-General António Guterres also issued a message urging greater assistance for displaced people and the communities that have provided them refuge. “As divisions deepen across our world, new and protracted conflicts are compelling millions of women, children and men to seek safety far from home,” he said. He underscored the need for increased cooperation and decisive measures to protect refugees, saying that “these turbulent times” require renewed solidarity and meaningful action. The reality of displacement Salih reflected on the difficult decision many refugees face, drawing from his own experience of fleeing repression in Iraq as a young man. “Fleeing home to seek safety is one of the hardest choices anyone can make. I know that from personal experience,” said Salih, who as a young man fled repression in Iraq. He stressed that refugee status should not determine a person’s entire future. “While a person may, for a time, be defined as a refugee, becoming a refugee should not define a person’s life.” Salih also warned that many refugees remain dependent on shrinking humanitarian assistance for their basic needs. He noted that while emergency aid is essential, many refugees remain displaced for years or even decades. “Being a refugee is meant to be a temporary condition, not a lifelong fate,” he said. Reducing long-term displacement To address this challenge, Salih announced a major objective aimed at reducing prolonged displacement. “That is why I have set out an ambitious goal: to cut by half, within ten years, the number of refugees living in protracted displacement and reliant on humanitarian assistance.” The initiative will concentrate on low- and middle-income countries, which host most of the world’s refugee population. “Achieving this target…would vastly improve the lives of millions of people. It is how we can move from merely managing displacement to resolving it,” he said. Marking 75 years of refugee protection This year's World Refugee Day coincides with the 75th anniversary of the Refugee Convention. Adopted in 1951 after the Second World War, the treaty established the right of people fleeing war, conflict, or persecution to seek safety and protection. “We must continue to uphold that promise. Until everyone is safe, none of us are safe,” said Mr. Salih. “This is not merely a statement of solidarity but a call to action. Because the right to seek safety was made for times like these, and it is up to all of us to defend it.” Campaign to support refugees Salih leads the UN refugee agency, UNHCR, which is using this year’s World Refugee Day theme, Until Everyone is Safe, to encourage young people to support refugees and defend the right to asylum. The campaign seeks to challenge common misconceptions about refugees and highlights that the right to seek safety extends beyond escaping war and violence. It also aligns with UNHCR’s goal of cutting the number of refugees living in long-term displacement by half by 2035, a target outlined in the agency’s latest Global Trends Report. Known as the 50 by 35 vision, the plan aims to expand refugees’ access to employment, education, healthcare, and social protection systems, helping them become more self-reliant and less dependent on humanitarian aid. UN and its humanitarian partners called for renewed international support, as they presented the 2026 update of the Joint Response Plan (JRP) recently for the Rohingya humanitarian crisis. The hyper-prioritised plan appeals for USD 710.5 million, to reach up to 1.56 million people, including refugees and Bangladeshi host communities. The appeal - a 26% reduction from the 2025 JRP - covers only the minimum required to sustain lifesaving assistance. Mid-way through the year, generous support from the international community has led the appeal to be already 60% funded.

UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, and humanitarian partners have asked the world not to forget Rohingyas in Bangladesh, noting that maintaining only minimum levels of humanitarian assistance risks generating "more complex, severe and costly" consequences. "The international community has rallied to support the hyper-prioritized appeal, now 60 per cent funded. Maintaining only minimum levels of humanitarian assistance risks generating more complex, severe and costly consequences," said UNHCR spokesperson Babar Baloch while responding to a question at a press briefing at the Palais des Nations in Geneva. UN food relief agency steps up aid for Rohingays amid heavy rains This year, the world will mark nine years since the large-scale forced displacement of Rohingya refugees from Myanmar into Bangladesh. "With our partners, UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, is calling on the international community not to forget the 1.2 million refugees in Bangladesh, most of them in camps in Cox’s Bazar," said the UNHCR spokesperson.  For decades, Rohingya people have been driven from their homes in Myanmar’s Rakhine State, with Bangladesh providing protection to successive movements of refugees since the late seventies. The largest influx came in August 2017, when some 750,000 Rohingya were forced to flee across the border. The generous support from Bangladesh and the international community has been critical in meeting their basic needs and providing protection. Bangladesh is now hosting over 1.3 million Rohingyas in Cox’s Bazar and Bhasan Char. UNHCR’s call comes amid growing global instability and rising humanitarian pressures, which have forced difficult prioritization and threatened essential services for vulnerable populations. Last month in Bangladesh, the United Nations and partners, coordinating with the government of Bangladesh, called for renewed international support – appealing for $710.5 million to meet the most urgent needs of Rohingya refugees and local host communities. Despite growing needs, this hyper-prioritized appeal is 26 per cent less than last year. Since 2017, humanitarian funding for the Rohingya refugee response has allowed Bangladesh to sustain life-saving assistance and make major progress in refugee education, health and protection. However, significant humanitarian needs persist and, without continued international solidarity, the plight of Rohingya families will deteriorate, said the UNHCR spokesperson. Amid sharp reductions in humanitarian and development support, Rohingya refugees remain largely reliant on aid. "Limited economic opportunities and reduced assistance continue to impact households," said the official, noting that the situation is more acute for vulnerable groups, including women and girls, people with disabilities, and older people, and some 150,000 new arrivals who fled renewed violence in Rakhine State since early 2024. As targeted violence, persecution and conflict inside Myanmar’s Rakhine State continue, hopes for a return to Myanmar are fading, the UN Agency said. More refugees are faced with desperate choices, including dangerous and often deadly sea journeys in search of opportunities in the region. "2025 was the deadliest year on record for such voyages, with nearly 900 Rohingya refugees reported missing or dead in the Andaman Sea and Bay of Bengal," said the UN official. Against this backdrop, the appeal focuses on the most critical humanitarian needs. Investment in resilience and self-reliance is crucial to preserving dignity and hope and reducing long-term dependence on aid. Until the conflict and violence stop, the international community must continue to stand in solidarity with refugees from Myanmar, including Rohingya refugees, and their host communities, providing humanitarian assistance and renewing efforts to allow voluntary, safe and dignified return, UNHCR said.

Tahsan Khan, popular Bangladeshi singer, song-writer, actor and TV host, on Wednesday renewed his engagement as a goodwill ambassador for UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency. “It has been nine years since the Rohingya fled Myanmar and sought shelter and safety here in Bangladesh. Without a sustainable solution in sight, it is essential to continue advocating for continued compassion with their plights is far from being done,” said Tahsan. He met families who have endured unimaginable loss and hardship. "Their strength inspires me, and I want to use my voice to amplify their stories.” Tahsan, UNHCR’s first Goodwill Ambassador in Bangladesh, was first appointed in 2021. Tahsan is one of 36 Goodwill Ambassadors for UNHCR, a dedicated group of prominent supporters playing a critical role in advancing UNHCR’s mandate by mobilizing public support and drawing attention to the needs and rights of people forced to flee, UNHCR officials told UNB. The extension of Tahsan’s appointment reflects UNHCR’s appreciation for his continued commitment and its shared resolve to ensure that refugees are not forgotten. He has since supported UNHCR’s advocacy and public engagement, helping raise awareness and inspire positive change in support of the plight, resilience, and rights of refugees. “Tahsan has been a dedicated advocate for refugees over the years. His engagement reflects the empathy and a deep sense of responsibility we all need in such time,” said Ivo Freijsen, UNHCR representative in Bangladesh. “We are proud to extend his appointment and look forward to continuing our collaboration to promote protection and hope for refugees. In a country that generously hosts over one million refugees, such a voice counts.” Over the years, Tahsan actively supported UNHCR’s work with Rohingya refugees in Cox’s Bazar, including visits to refugee camps, engagement with refugee communities, and participation in global advocacy moments such as World Refugee Day. In 2025, Tahsan visited the site of a recent fire that destroyed part of the camp, seeing firsthand the devastation fire can bring to the camps, impacting thousands of lives. He called the fire a tragic reminder of the hardship that Rohingya refugees continue to face. “The refugees I met told me of their wish to return home, voluntarily, when it is safe for them to do so,” Tahsan said during his visit. “Until that is possible, we must continue to stand by them, providing them with support, protection and life-saving services, supporting their resilience and keeping hope alive”. He expressed his sincere gratitude to the UNHCR team for their tireless efforts in alleviating the refugee crisis, especially given the significant risks associated with their work. Bangladesh currently hosts nearly 1.2 million Rohingya refugees, the vast majority living in 33 densely populated camps in Cox’s Bazar district, one of the largest settlements in the world. Many Rohingya refugees have now lived in the camps for almost nine years, with restricted access to formal education, livelihoods, and long-term opportunities.  

Nearly 900 Rohingya refugees died or went missing in the Andaman Sea and the Bay of Bengal in 2025, making it the deadliest year on record for sea crossings in South and Southeast Asia, according to the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR). The agency said more than 6,500 Rohingya attempted the dangerous sea journey during the year, with around one in seven reported dead or missing. This marks the highest death toll recorded on any major maritime route used by refugees and migrants worldwide, it said. UNHCR mentioned that more than half of those attempting the journey in recent years have been women and children, a trend that has continued into 2026. Between January and April 13 this year, more than 2,800 Rohingya have already attempted the crossing. The dangers were highlighted by a recent tragedy in which an overloaded boat departing from Bangladesh sank in rough seas in the Andaman Sea on 26 March. Around 250 people are believed to be missing. Nine survivors were later rescued near the Andaman Islands on 9 April. UNHCR said it is providing medical, psychological and counselling support to survivors and is ready to assist local authorities. Despite the risks of trafficking, exploitation and death at sea, return to Myanmar voluntarily, safely and with dignity. However, ongoing conflict, persecution and lack of citizenship prospects continue to prevent their return. Many Rohingya continue to attempt the journey. The overcrowded and unsafe boats usually depart from Cox’s Bazar in Bangladesh or Rakhine State in Myanmar, heading towards Indonesia or Malaysia. UNHCR said many Rohingya refugees want to return to Myanmar voluntarily, safely and with dignity. However, ongoing conflict, persecution and lack of citizenship prospects continue to prevent their return. At the same time, a severe funding shortage has reduced humanitarian assistance in Bangladesh, while instability in refugee camps and limited access to education and livelihoods are pushing some to take dangerous routes. The agency has called on countries in the region to save lives by tackling human trafficking networks, addressing the root causes of displacement, expanding safe and legal migration pathways, and strengthening regional cooperation. More than 1.3 million Rohingya refugees and asylum seekers are currently displaced across the region, including about 1.2 million in Bangladesh. The 2025 Joint Response Plan has so far received only 53 percent of the required funding, highlighting an urgent need for greater international support.

UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, on Friday called on States to address the root causes of displacement, expand safe and legal pathways, and strengthen regional cooperation to save lives and combat smuggling and trafficking, noting that 2025 was deadliest year yet for maritime movements of Rohingya refugees. "In 2025, nearly 900 Rohingya refugees were reported missing or dead in the Andaman Sea and Bay of Bengal, making it the deadliest year on record for maritime movements in South and South‑East Asia," said UNHCR spokesperson Babar Baloch in response to questions received at press briefing at the Palais des Nations in Geneva. Grandi welcomes Barham Salih as newly elected UNHCR chief Over 1.3 million Rohingya refugees and asylum-seekers remain displaced across the region, including 1.2 million in Bangladesh, where the 2025 Joint Response Plan was only 53 per cent funded, underscoring the urgent need for increased international support, according to data from UNHCR. More than 6,500 Rohingya attempted perilous sea crossings that year, with one in seven reported missing or dead, the highest mortality rate worldwide of any major route for refugee and migrant sea journeys. In recent years, over half of those attempting these crossings have been women and children. The trend continues in 2026, with more than 2,800 Rohingya undertaking dangerous sea journeys between January and 13 April. The severity of the data has been underlined by the most recent and tragic incident in the Andaman Sea, where an extremely overcrowded boat that departed Bangladesh on 26 March reportedly capsized due to rough seas, leaving an estimated 250 people missing, Babar Baloch said. Nine survivors were rescued on 9 April near the Andaman Islands. UNHCR is providing counselling and referrals for medical and psychosocial support to Rohingya survivors and is ready to support local authorities. Despite the extreme dangers – including trafficking, exploitation, and death at sea – thousands of Rohingya refugees continue to undertake these journeys, said the UNHCR spokesperson. Boats, often overcrowded and unseaworthy, typically depart from Cox’s Bazar in Bangladesh or from Rakhine State in Myanmar towards Indonesia or Malaysia. While most Rohingya refugees wish to return to Myanmar once conditions allow for a voluntary, dignified and safe return, ongoing conflict, persecution and the absence of citizenship prospects leave them with little hope, Babar Baloch said. Meanwhile, severe funding shortfalls have significantly reduced humanitarian aid in Bangladesh, compounded by insecurity in the camps and limited access to education and livelihoods, pushing refugees towards dangerous onward movement, UNHCR said.

Canadian High Commissioner to Bangladesh Ajit Singh on Sunday said Canada remains a ‘longstanding and steadfast partner’ in the Rohingya crisis response and accounted CAD 10 million contributions to provide clean, safe and sustainable cooking fuel for the Rohingyas in Cox’s Bazar. “This climate-responsive humanitarian contribution will reduce deforestation and carbon emissions in an environmentally fragile district that will benefit refugees, Bangladeshis, and the wider population,” said the High Commissioner. He said it will also lower the risks to vulnerable people, especially women, girls, and children, including those that stem from gathering firewood. “Canada is pleased to provide this $10 million contribution to UNHCR and IOM to strengthen environmental protection that benefits us all, as well as advance the wellbeing of vulnerable Rohingya refugees,” said the High Commissioner. The funding to UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, and IOM, the International Organization for Migration, will ensure the continued provision of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) to the Rohingya, essential for them to cook, while helping to preserve the fragile environment surrounding the camps and improve safety, health and dignity for refugees, particularly women and children, said the UN agency. Cox’s Bazar, one of the most climate-vulnerable regions of Bangladesh, faces recurrent flooding, landslides, cyclones, fires and environmental degradation. Since the start of LPG distribution to Rohingya refugees, the programme has reduced firewood use by 80% among refugee households, preventing an estimated 407,000t of CO₂ emissions every year. “Nine years on, Rohingya refugees are navigating one of the world’s most difficult displacement situations – protracted crisis compounded by climate vulnerability,” said UNHCR Deputy Representative in Bangladesh Juliette Murekeyisoni. “Canada’s support comes at a crucial time, and I am deeply grateful for it. Sustained international solidarity remains critical to ensuring that refugees can live in dignity while we work toward conditions for their voluntary, safe, and dignified return.” Chief of Mission for IOM in Bangladesh Giuseppe Loprete said safe, reliable energy is fundamental to the well-being of families who have experienced immense hardship for the past nine years. “We thank Canada for their generous support, which ensures that refugees can avoid dangerous firewood collection and live in healthier environments, while also protecting local forests and biodiversity.” The provision of LPG has been central to the response since 2018. Studies have shown it has dramatically improved indoor air quality in the densely populated camps and lowered household spending on cooking fuel. The UN refugee agency said Canada’s contribution will support LPG access for some 243,500 refugee households and help conserve up to 10,700 hectares of protected forest in Cox’s Bazar. It also strengthens community resilience by stabilizing slopes, reducing landslide risks, and lowering human wildlife conflict around ecologically sensitive areas.

The number of people displaced in Lebanon due to intensifying Israeli attacks has risen sharply. Speaking to reporters in Geneva from Beirut, the UN refugee agency’s representative in Lebanon said more than 100,000 people were newly displaced across the country within the past 24 hours. Karolina Lindholm Billing said that, as of now, over 667,000 people in Lebanon have registered as displaced on the Lebanese government’s online platform, marking an increase of 100,000 in just a single day. Israel accused of using white phosphorus in southern Lebanon She noted that the current situation reflects a “faster pace of displacement” compared with 2024, when Israel and Hezbollah were engaged in their previous war. Sources- Al Jazeera

The government of Japan on Thursday renewed its commitment to Rohingyas in Bangladesh, pledging USD 2.6 million for shelter materials, primary healthcare, and clean cooking sets. An exchange of notes was signed by Saida Shinichi, Ambassador of Japan to Bangladesh, and Ivo Freijsen, UNHCR Representative in Bangladesh. Japan’s generous support enables UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, to maintain critical services in one of the world’s most densely populated refugee camps, where 1.18 million stateless Rohingya reside in precarious conditions. Continued global assistance key to bolstering Bangladesh’s Rohingya response: UNHCR Nine years since being forced to flee targeted persecution and conflict in Myanmar, Rohingya families still depend heavily on humanitarian assistance for safety, protection and survival. In congested camps seasonally exposed to torrential rain, strong winds and drought, most Rohingya shelters are built of bamboo and tarpaulin, and regularly require urgent repairs. Japan’s commitment covers essential repair materials for some 3,300 households, as well as the training and engagement of 300 shelter volunteers from the Rohingya community, said the UN refugee agency. UNHCR welcomes Italy’s contribution of EUR 2.5mn for essential assistance to Rohingyas It also strengthens health services through primary healthcare centres and health posts and engaging 162 refugees as community health workers. These crucial livelihoods opportunities promote self-reliance and community ownership, and create hope. The people of Japan’s steady support is deeply appreciated as the Rohingya enter their ninth year of displacement, said Freijsen. “Steep reductions in global aid threaten lifesaving programmes and risk reversing critical achievements. In partnership with generous Bangladeshi host communities, we must safeguard and improve refugees’ dignity and well-being until political engagement in the context of Myanmar enables conditions for safe and voluntary return.” Ambassador Saida expressed his hope that the support from the government of Japan will lead to improved living conditions for Rohingya refugees. “I am delighted to announce Japan’s supplementary fund to UNHCR for critical assistance to Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh. We are confident this partnership with UNHCR will bring tangible positive change, and Japan remains committed to supporting a more secure and stable future for the Rohingya community,” said Ambassador Saida. The grant also provides stove sets for 32,000 Rohingya households. Complementing UNHCR’s liquified petroleum gas (LPG) distribution, these stove sets offer refugees cleaner cooking solutions, eliminating risks linked to firewood collection and use. Women and girls face fewer protection challenges, and children spend more time in classrooms. LPG also prevents environmental degradation, allowing restoration of the area’s forested hills. UNHCR and its partners, working with the government of Bangladesh, are preparing to launch the 2026 updated Joint Response Plan (JRP) for the Rohingya humanitarian crisis. Japan has been a leading partner in the Rohingya response, contributing over USD 260 million to UNHCR and other UN agencies as well as Bangladeshi NGOs since 2017. As humanitarian support continues to shrink globally, sustained and steadfast assistance of donors such as Japan is crucial until a durable solution can be achieved.

Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus has said the Rohingya crisis is still not receiving the global attention it deserves, despite the interim government’s efforts over the past year to spotlight the issue through a series of high-profile initiatives, including a visit by the UN Secretary-General to the camps during Ramadan. He said the prolonged stay of the Rohingyas in the camps could never be a solution, as it had already created tensions with host communities, and called for renewed international efforts to ensure repatriation. “The problem began in Myanmar, and the solution must also come from there. A frustrated and angry young generation is growing up in the camps, with access to technology. This is not good news for anyone. Our job is to make sure they return to their homeland in peace and dignity,” the Chief Adviser said.

UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, on Friday said essential services for the whole Rohingya population are at risk of collapsing due to acute global funding crisis, noting that 150,000 Rohingyas entered Bangladesh over the last 18 months. With the acute global funding crisis, UNHCR spokesperson Babar Baloch said, the critical needs of both newly-arrived refugees and those already present will be unmet. This movement of Rohingya refugees into Bangladesh, spread over months, is the largest from Myanmar since 2017, when some 750,000 fled the deadly violence in their native Rakhine State. Bangladesh is now hosting over 1.3 million Rohingyas in Cox’s Bazar and Bhasan Char. The UNHCR and humanitarian partners are mobilizing to respond to the needs of up to 150,000 Rohingya refugees who have arrived in Cox’s Bazar in Bangladesh over the last 18 months. UNHCR and humanitarian partners also called on the international community to stand in solidarity with Bangladesh and other countries in the region hosting Rohingya refugees. "Until there is peace and stability in Myanmar’s Rakhine State, conducive to safe and voluntary return, the international community must continue to support efforts to provide life-saving assistance to Rohingya forced to flee," said Baloch. Among the new arrivals, nearly 121,000 had been biometrically identified by the end of June, with more believed to be residing informally in the already overcrowded refugee camps. The overwhelming majority are women and children. More humanitarian support is urgently required as the new arrivals are largely dependent on the solidarity of those living in the camps, overstretching severely diminished resources, the UN agency said. Biometric identification has allowed humanitarian partners in Bangladesh to provide the new arrivals with basic services, including food, medical care, education and essential relief items. However, this will soon dry up without an immediate injection of funds. Access to shelter and other key necessities is also insufficient in the face of limited resources. Unless additional funds are secured, health services will be severely disrupted by September and essential cooking fuel (LPG) will run out. BSF pushes 31 people, including 14 Rohingyas into Sylhet "By December, food assistance will stop. Education for some 230,000 children – including 63,000 new arrivals – is at risk of being discontinued," UNHCR Spokesperson said. "Refugees in the camps have already felt the impact of these reductions. They fear more cuts are looming," Baloch mentioned during the media briefing in Geneva. This is fuelling a sense of desperation and anxiety, and driving some to embark on dangerous sea journeys to other countries in search of safety and a more dignified life for their families, the UNHCR thinks. The border between Bangladesh and Myanmar remains "officially closed" and under surveillance by Border Guard Bangladesh. UNHCR and humanitarian partners are "grateful" that the government of Bangladesh has authorized newly-arrived Rohingya refugees to access emergency assistance and key services in the camps in Cox’s Bazar. "As the conflict in Myanmar continues unabated, however, we are advocating with the Bangladeshi authorities to provide managed access to safety and asylum for civilians fleeing the conflict," Baloch said. Over the years, the Spokesperson said, the generous support from Bangladesh and the international community has been critical in meeting Rohingya refugees’ most basic needs and providing protection. Every aspect of the refugee response is affected by the funding scarcity, Baloch said. Targeted violence and persecution in Rakhine State and the ongoing conflict in Myanmar have continued to force thousands of Rohingya to seek protection in Bangladesh. Bangladesh has generously hosted Rohingya refugees for generations.