Finland pledges £2 million (Rp47.98 billion) to support Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh

Dhaka (ANTARA) - Finland has announced an additional £2 million (Rp47.98 billion) to assist Rohingya refugees in Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh, amid concerns over reduced international aid. The UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) confirmed Finland’s contribution to sustain life-saving aid and protection for Rohingya refugees. “This increased contribution enables UNHCR to continue critical assistance, including in underfunded areas such as skills development and resilience programmes,” UNHCR Dhaka stated on Sunday. Nearly a decade after fleeing violence and persecution in their home country, Myanmar, around 1.2 million Rohingya remain in Bangladesh amid dwindling global financial support. As funding declines, the most vulnerable groups—women and girls, persons with disabilities, the elderly, and approximately 150,000 new arrivals since early 2024—bear the heaviest burden, many still without shelter due to overcrowded camps, the UN agency said. “As the Rohingya response enters a fragile phase—marked by declining funding, deteriorating camp conditions, heightened protection risks, and ongoing instability in Myanmar—Finland’s increased aid commitment demonstrates significant generosity,” said Ivo Freijsen, UNHCR representative in Bangladesh. The 2026 Joint Response Plan (JRP) update for the Rohingya humanitarian crisis outlines a need for $710.5 million (Rp12.67 trillion) to assist 1.56 million people, including refugees and host communities in Bangladesh. The request covers minimum requirements to maintain life-saving assistance.