UNHCR Plans Deep Budget Cuts, Raising Concerns for Rohingya Refugees in Bangladesh

The United Nations refugee agency (UNHCR) is planning significant budget and staffing cuts for 2027 as it grapples with a severe funding crisis, a move that could have serious consequences for more than 1.2 million Rohingya refugees living in Bangladesh, Reuters has reported.

According to documents presented at a meeting of UN member states in Geneva, UNHCR has proposed reducing its 2027 budget by 16 percent to $7.14 billion, marking its lowest budget in more than a decade. By comparison, the agency's budget stood at $10.6 billion in 2025.

The financial crisis has been driven largely by sharp reductions in foreign aid from major donor countries. In particular, contributions from the United States—the agency's largest donor—have fallen dramatically, dropping from $800 million in 2025 to just $110 million this year.

The proposed cuts are expected to have a significant impact on Bangladesh, where more than 1.2 million Rohingya refugees living in camps in Cox's Bazar and Bhasan Char depend almost entirely on international humanitarian assistance.

Aid agencies have already warned that funding shortfalls have strained food assistance, healthcare, and other essential services in the camps. A proposed 22 percent reduction in UNHCR's budget for the Asia-Pacific region could further undermine protection services and the delivery of basic humanitarian support for Rohingya refugees.

During the Geneva meeting, diplomats expressed deep concern that declining international support would place an overwhelming financial and social burden on major host countries such as Bangladesh. They warned that sustaining refugee assistance without adequate international funding would become increasingly difficult.

Despite the funding crisis, UNHCR said it would continue to prioritize emergency relief operations and refugee protection. The agency also projects that the global number of forcibly displaced people will reach a record 131.2 million by 2027.

The proposed 2027 budget is scheduled to be submitted for final approval at the UNHCR Executive Committee meeting in October.