EU Announces €140 Million Aid for Rohingya Refugees and Host Communities in Bangladesh

The European Union (EU) has announced an additional €140 million (approximately Tk 2,000 crore) in support for nearly 1.2 million Rohingya refugees living in camps in Cox’s Bazar, along with the local host communities.

The announcement was made on Thursday in a joint statement by the EU and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR).

According to the statement, the funding will support emergency assistance, protection services, skills development programs, and expanded access to clean cooking fuel such as liquefied petroleum gas (LPG). Both Rohingya refugees and around 70,000 members of host communities are expected to benefit from the initiative.

EU Ambassador to Bangladesh Michael Miller said the European Union remains committed to supporting both the refugee population and host communities in Bangladesh.

He emphasized that, alongside emergency humanitarian assistance, long-term solutions such as education, skills training, and income-generating opportunities are essential to addressing the ongoing crisis.

The new funding, he added, will help improve living conditions, expand educational and skills development opportunities for Rohingya refugees, and support preparations for their eventual voluntary, safe, and dignified repatriation.

UNHCR Representative in Bangladesh Ivo Freijsen expressed gratitude to the EU for its continued support, noting that sustained assistance is crucial for Rohingya families who have been facing severe hardship for nearly nine years.

The announcement comes ahead of World Refugee Day on June 20, with the EU and UNHCR calling for renewed global solidarity with forcibly displaced populations and recognition of the contributions made by host communities.

UNHCR estimates that $7.1 billion is required to implement the 2025–2026 Joint Response Plan (JRP) for the Rohingya crisis. The plan aims to meet the urgent needs of approximately 1.2 million refugees, including new arrivals, while also supporting conditions for safe, voluntary, and dignified repatriation.