European Union Pledges €14 Million to Support Rohingya Refugees in Bangladesh

The European Union has extended a €14 million development grant in collaboration with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) to continue supporting Rohingya refugees living in Bangladesh and to strengthen assistance for surrounding host communities in Cox’s Bazar.

The funding is aimed at improving protection services, expanding livelihood opportunities, and enhancing long-term resilience for approximately 1.2 million Rohingya refugees and nearly 70,000 members of the local Bangladeshi population affected by the prolonged displacement crisis.
 

According to UNHCR, the support will complement existing humanitarian assistance and earlier multi-year contributions from the European Union. The initiative is part of broader efforts to transition from short-term relief to more sustainable development-oriented programming within refugee settings.
 

EU officials emphasized that the funding will focus on expanding access to education, vocational training, and income-generating activities. These measures are intended to help refugees develop practical skills while also supporting host communities that share resources and services in densely populated areas.

The EU delegation in Bangladesh, led by Ambassador Michael Miller, highlighted that the ongoing crisis requires a shift toward long-term solutions. He noted that education and skills development are key components of improving living conditions and restoring dignity among displaced populations.
 

UNHCR Representative in Bangladesh Ivo Freijsen also welcomed the renewed support, describing it as essential for maintaining critical services for families who have been living in displacement for nearly a decade. He stressed that sustained international engagement remains vital to ensuring protection and stability in the camps.

The funding will also support essential services such as access to liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), which reduces reliance on firewood collection and helps improve health and environmental conditions. Improved cooking fuel access is also seen as a key measure to reduce risks faced by women and children in and around the camps.
 

Humanitarian agencies have repeatedly warned that overcrowding, limited resources, and prolonged displacement continue to place refugees at high risk of exploitation, gender-based violence, and trafficking. As a result, protection services such as safe shelters, lighting systems, and community reporting mechanisms remain central to ongoing operations.

The initiative also places strong emphasis on self-reliance, with programs designed to reduce dependency on aid by creating opportunities for skills training and employment pathways. Officials say such measures can help restore dignity and provide refugees with greater control over their daily lives while they await conditions for voluntary return to Myanmar.

The announcement comes ahead of World Refugee Day, observed annually on June 20, which highlights the global importance of supporting displaced populations and recognizing the contributions of host communities that provide shelter and resources.

UNHCR has stated that continued funding is critical to implementing the 2025–2026 Joint Response Plan for the Rohingya humanitarian crisis, which seeks to mobilize $710 million to meet essential needs across refugee settlements in Bangladesh.

As the crisis enters its ninth year, international partners including the European Union continue to play a central role in sustaining humanitarian operations, with increasing focus on long-term resilience, education, and sustainable support systems for both refugees and host communities.