Dhaka, May 31, 2026 – Finland has announced a fresh €2 million (US$2.23 million) contribution to sustain life‑saving assistance for Rohingya refugees sheltering in Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh. The funding, confirmed by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), comes amid severe global aid cuts threatening the humanitarian response.
According to UNHCR, the support will help fill critical gaps in skills development and resilience programming, areas that remain underfunded despite growing needs. Nearly 1.2 million Rohingya have lived in Bangladesh for almost a decade after fleeing persecution in Myanmar, with conditions worsening as international funding declines.
The most vulnerable groups — including women, girls, persons with disabilities, older people, and 150,000 new arrivals since early 2024 — face heightened risks, many still without adequate shelter due to overcrowded camps.
Ivo Freijsen, UNHCR’s representative in Bangladesh, described Finland’s commitment as “great generosity” at a fragile moment marked by declining funding, worsening camp conditions, rising protection risks, and continued instability in Myanmar.
This latest pledge underscores Finland’s role in supporting humanitarian efforts and highlights the urgent need for sustained international solidarity to protect the Rohingya community and strengthen resilience in one of the world’s largest refugee settlements.
