Rohingyas get 3,000 MT of sunflower oil from Ukraine

The Government of Bangladesh, the Embassy of Ukraine, the Embassy of Sweden, and the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) have jointly marked the distribution of 3,000 metric tonnes of sunflower oil to Rohingya refugees as part of the Grain from Ukraine initiative.

According to a WFP release issued today, this contribution will support the government's response to the Rohingya crisis, which is being led by the WFP and other humanitarian partners.

The Grain from Ukraine (GfU) initiative is a humanitarian food programme launched by the Ukrainian government in 2022 with the goal of making Ukrainian food commodities available for WFP crisis response with international support.

The sunflower oil for the Rohingya was produced in Ukraine, with the Swedish government covering the procurement and transportation costs, which totalled USD 7 million.

Md Mostafizur Rahman, Secretary of the Ministry of Disaster Management; Mohammed Mizanur Rahman, Refugee Relief and Repatriation Commissioner; AKM Mohiuddin Kayes, Director, South Asia Wing, Ministry of Foreign Affairs; Dr Oleksandr Polishchuk, Ambassador of Ukraine; Nicolas Weeks, Ambassador of Sweden; and Simone Parchment, WFP Bangladesh Country

Disaster Management Secretary Md Mostafizur Rahman expressed heartfelt gratitude to Sweden and Ukraine for their "critical contributions," adding, "Your support is deeply meaningful for the Rohingya response." It will significantly increase food assistance to the Rohingya people and reflects a partnership based on humanity, compassion, and shared global responsibility."

According to Refugee Relief and Repatriation Commissioner Mohammed Mizanur Rahman, the event highlights a shared humanitarian conviction that unites Ukraine, Sweden, France, the World Food Programme, and the Government of Bangladesh in supporting communities that have faced enormous hardship.

"Today's donation is not only a timely humanitarian gesture but also a genuine expression of friendship and solidarity with the Rohingya," stated AKM Mohiuddin Kayes, Director of the MoFA's South Asia Wing.