Japan, UNHCR Sign $1.6m Deal to Aid Rohingya Refugees in BD

The government of Japan and UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, have signed a partnership agreement to enhance living conditions, healthcare, and self-reliance for Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh. The $1.6 million (JPY 250 million) contribution will fund safer shelters in the Cox’s Bazar camps, provide essential medicines and medical supplies, and involve refugees as community health workers.

Additionally, the funds will support self-reliance initiatives for refugees in Cox’s Bazar and on Bhasan Char, offering opportunities to build skills and improve livelihoods.

“This agreement comes at a crucial time, as fundraising for the Rohingya refugee response is vital. It will empower refugees and alleviate pressure on local communities in Bangladesh,” said Saida Shinichi, Ambassador of Japan to Bangladesh. “Japan remains committed to sustainable solutions and will continue working with international organizations like UNHCR.”

Sumbul Rizvi, UNHCR Representative in Bangladesh, expressed gratitude to Japan for its consistent support, highlighting that the Rohingya community, while resilient, needs opportunities to rebuild their lives.

The agreement will enable UNHCR to build, maintain, and repair shelters that can withstand extreme weather, enhance primary healthcare services, and provide mental health and psychosocial support. Additionally, skills development programs will empower refugees, especially women, to contribute to their communities and prepare for a potential return to Myanmar when conditions permit.

This timely contribution comes as the UNHCR and its partners, alongside the government of Bangladesh, prepare to launch the 2025 Joint Response Plan (JRP) to address the ongoing Rohingya crisis. Since the emergency began in August 2017, Japan has contributed over $243 million to the refugee response in Bangladesh, supporting UNHCR and other agencies in their humanitarian efforts.