Dhaka:Australia and BRAC have entered into a new AUD 18 million (Tk 155 crore) agreement to aid Rohingyas and host communities in Bangladesh. The agreement was signed by Australian High Commissioner to Bangladesh Susan Ryle and BRAC Executive Director Asif Saleh. The signing took place in the presence of Disaster Management and Relief Minister Asadul Habib Dulu, as announced by the Australian High Commission.
According to United News of Bangladesh, Australia's flexible, multi-year funding will allow BRAC to maintain essential services for Rohingyas and host communities residing in Cox's Bazar and Bhasan Char, who continue to face challenging conditions.
BRAC's initiatives will encompass health services, water, sanitation, education, disaster risk management, skills development, and protection services within the camps and host communities. The support also includes assistance to local organizations through BRAC's localization fund, which aims to enhance the capacity of national partners, enable cost-effective service delivery on a large scale, and increase coverage in underserved camps.
The agreement is a component of Australia's AUD 370 million (Tk 3,162 crore) humanitarian package for 2026-2028, dedicated to supporting Rohingyas and host communities in Bangladesh as well as people in Myanmar. Since 2017, Australia has committed AUD 1.26 billion (Tk 10,770 crore) in humanitarian aid in response to the regional crisis.
The Australian High Commission emphasized the country's unwavering support for the government of Bangladesh in providing humanitarian assistance to displaced Rohingyas and their host communities. It is deemed crucial that Rohingyas continue to receive essential support until conditions are conducive for their voluntary, safe, dignified, and sustainable return to Myanmar.