Dhaka: The Government of Japan and UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, have signed a partnership agreement aimed at improving living conditions, enhancing primary healthcare, and empowering Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh. The contribution, amounting to USD 1.6 million (JPY 250 million), will be utilized to develop safer shelters in the Cox’s Bazar camps, provide essential medicines and medical supplies, and engage refugees as community health workers.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, the deal will also bolster the self-reliance of refugees in Cox’s Bazar and on Bhasan Char by creating opportunities for self-sufficiency. SAIDA Shinichi, Ambassador of Japan to Bangladesh, emphasized the importance of this contribution, stating, “This agreement and contribution from Japan to UNHCR comes at a critical time, when fundraising for the Rohingya refugee response is essential. This project will help empower and improve refugees’ well-being on Bhasan Char and in Cox’s Bazar, while alleviating the pressure on the Bangladeshi host community.”
Ambassador Shinichi further highlighted Japan’s commitment to sustainable solutions for the humanitarian crisis and its ongoing cooperation with international organizations like UNHCR. Sumbul Rizvi, UNHCR Representative in Bangladesh, expressed gratitude for Japan’s support, acknowledging the resilience and determination of the Rohingya community and the opportunities they require to manage their lives in asylum.
The agreement will enable UNHCR to construct, maintain, and repair safer shelters capable of withstanding extreme weather conditions. In the camps of Cox’s Bazar and on Bhasan Char, primary healthcare access will be enhanced, addressing both communicable and non-communicable diseases, along with mental health and psychosocial support. The focus will also be on skills development and self-reliance, particularly for women, to empower refugees to support their communities and prepare for a safe return to Myanmar when conditions allow.
With the support from Japan, coming eight years into the crisis, UNHCR and its partners, along with the Government of Bangladesh, are preparing to launch the 2025 Joint Response Plan (JRP) to aid Rohingya refugees and the neighboring Bangladeshi communities. Since the onset of the emergency in August 2017, Japan has been a steadfast supporter of the Rohingya refugee response in Bangladesh, contributing over USD 243 million to UNHCR and other UN agencies and NGOs in the region.