Dhaka: United Nations Secretary-General Ant³nio Guterres today reiterated his call to the international community to provide more support for Rohingyas to avoid humanitarian disasters in refugee camps in Bangladesh. “I strongly appeal to the international community to allow us to avoid any tragedy,” he said in a joint press briefing at Hotel Intercontinental here.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, the UN chief called upon the international community to take greater responsibility and provide necessary financial and political support for both the refugees and their host communities. Ant³nio Guterres highlighted Bangladesh’s extraordinary generosity in responding to the Rohingya crisis. “It is a testament to your enduring humanitarian spirit,” he said, adding that for years, the Bangladesh’s people, especially the communities in Cox’s Bazar, have hosted over a million refugees fleeing violence and persecution.
Guterres stated that by offering Rohingya refugees sanctuary, Bangladesh has demonstrated solidarity and human dignity, often at significant social, environmental, and economic cost. “The world must not take this generosity for granted,” he said. The UN secretary-general emphasized that the world is on the verge of a deep humanitarian crisis, noting the potential drastic reduction in resources for humanitarian aid due to announced financial assistance cuts.
He warned of the dramatic risk of having only 40 percent of the resources available for humanitarian aid in 2025 compared to 2024, leading to a severe reduction in food rations and other support. Guterres highlighted the UN’s commitment to working with Bangladesh and other partners to find a lasting solution that enables the safe, voluntary, and dignified return of Rohingyas to Myanmar.
Guterres mentioned ongoing plans by UN Member States for a High-Level Conference addressing the situation of Rohingya Muslims and other minorities in Myanmar. He expressed concern over the escalating violence and human rights violations in Myanmar, urging all parties to exercise restraint and protect civilians. Guterres also conveyed his greetings to Muslims observing Ramadan, noting his visit to Bangladesh to express solidarity with Rohingya refugees and their hosts. Foreign Adviser Touhid Hossain also spoke at the joint briefing.