Italy Donates €3M to Support Rohingya Refugees in BD

This contribution is vital for the protection and well-being of the one million Rohingya refugees living in Bangladesh, particularly in the camps in Cox’s Bazar and Bhasan Char, where the refugees face numerous challenges. €1 million of the donation will go towards UNHCR’s protection interventions, ensuring access to essential services like shelter, healthcare, water, sanitation, and hygiene. The remaining funds will support WFP’s food assistance program, focusing on malnutrition prevention and providing essential food for young children and pregnant and breastfeeding women.

Antonio Alessandro, Italian Ambassador to Bangladesh, expressed that the donation reaffirms Italy’s commitment to the Rohingya people, as echoed by Undersecretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Maria Tripodi, during her recent visit to Dhaka. “These contributions reflect Italy’s solidarity with the Rohingya people and our commitment to defending their dignity,” he said.

Sumbul Rizvi, UNHCR Representative in Bangladesh, stressed the importance of such international support, noting that “generosity and advocacy are critical to keep the spotlight on a crisis that we can ill afford to let be forgotten.”

Dom Scalpelli, WFP Country Director in Bangladesh, also highlighted the urgency of the situation, stating, “Eight years into this crisis, the humanitarian needs of nearly one million refugees remain as urgent as ever. We are deeply grateful to Italy for its unwavering support.”

With limited livelihood opportunities, nearly all Rohingya refugees rely on humanitarian aid. WFP provides $12 per month to each person to purchase food. Living in crowded conditions, the refugees face ongoing threats from climate change, fire hazards, and insecurity. Italy’s support will help maintain food security, reduce disaster risks, and promote peace and security within the camps, benefiting both refugees and host communities.

Margherita Lulli, Director of the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation in Southeast Asia, emphasized Italy’s broader commitment to humanitarian principles, highlighting the importance of international cooperation in responding to complex crises.

UNHCR, WFP, and their partners, together with the Government of Bangladesh, are preparing the 2025 Joint Response Plan to address the humanitarian needs of both refugees and host communities. However, securing sufficient funding remains a challenge.