- UNHCR’s Filippo Grandi emphasizes continued support for over 1 million Rohingyas in Bangladesh.
- Grandi calls for safe and voluntary return of refugees to Myanmar as a long-term solution.
- He urges the international community to maintain financial support for displaced Rohingyas.
- Grandi discusses efforts to improve security and resilience for refugees in Cox’s Bazar camps.
- A new 2025 Joint Response Plan will be launched to address humanitarian needs.
Filippo Grandi, the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), concluded a four-day visit to Bangladesh on March 2, 2025, urging the international community to intensify its support for over 1 million Rohingya refugees in the country.
Bangladesh has been a host for the displaced Rohingya population since the beginning of the crisis in 2017, despite facing substantial challenges. Grandi’s visit, which focused on the ongoing needs of the refugees, underscored the need for a sustainable long-term solution to the crisis.
A Voluntary and Safe Return to Myanmar
During his visit, Grandi reiterated that the only viable long-term solution for the Rohingya refugees is their dignified, voluntary, and safe return to Myanmar. He stressed the importance of creating conditions in Myanmar that would allow the refugees to return to their homes and coexist peacefully with local communities. The UNHCR chief emphasized that efforts must be made to ensure the safety and well-being of the refugees, both during their return and after they settle back in Myanmar.
Confronting the Crisis at the Kutupalong Refugee Camps
Grandi’s visit took him to the Kutupalong refugee camps, one of the largest refugee settlements in the world, located near Cox’s Bazar. The camps currently shelter thousands of Rohingya refugees who have fled violence in Myanmar’s Rakhine State.
Since the crisis began, Bangladesh’s local communities have shared their already scarce resources to provide for the displaced population, often under dire conditions. Grandi acknowledged these efforts, noting that Bangladesh’s role as a host nation has been nothing short of extraordinary, though the burden on the country is immense.
“The resources available to assist the Rohingyas are shrinking, and without continued financial backing, the work done by Bangladesh, aid agencies, and the refugees themselves could collapse,” Grandi warned. The UNHCR chief stressed the urgent need for global assistance to prevent the further deterioration of the situation.
Focus on Vulnerable Groups
Throughout his visit, Grandi also met with local community-based groups, including imams, female religious teachers, and mothers, who are concerned about the increasing violence within the camps. He acknowledged the heightened security risks and highlighted the importance of providing continued support to vulnerable populations, particularly women and children. Grandi urged international partners to focus on helping young refugees gain resilience and skills to break the cycle of poverty and despair. “Investing in the future of young people is crucial for their recovery,” he stated.
The Need for Sustainable Funding
As the crisis enters its seventh year, Grandi called for consistent international financial support to maintain humanitarian relief efforts in Bangladesh. The 2025 Joint Response Plan, which will outline the ongoing needs of refugees, is set to be launched with the cooperation of the Government of Bangladesh and other international partners. However, Grandi emphasized that past response plans have suffered from insufficient funding, leaving many essential needs unmet.
Moreover, the UNHCR chief’s visit served as a stark reminder of the long-term nature of the Rohingya crisis and the critical need for a collective, sustained response. While Bangladesh has played a pivotal role in managing the refugee crisis, the sustainability of its relief efforts relies heavily on continued global assistance. In this context, Grandi’s call for a long-term solution, along with sustained funding, remains vital to the future of the Rohingya refugees and their eventual safe return to Myanmar.
Ultimately, Grandi’s visit underscored the urgency of finding a sustainable solution for the Rohingya crisis. Although Bangladesh’s dedication to hosting refugees has been commendable, the continued strain on the country’s resources and local communities highlights the necessity of sustained global support. Only through consistent international assistance and the creation of conditions for the safe return of the refugees to Myanmar can the crisis be resolved in the long term.