Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed has urged the international community to scale up assistance for Rohingya refugees living in Bangladesh, warning that declining global funding is increasing pressure on humanitarian efforts.
He made the call during a meeting with Ivo Freijsen, the country representative of UNHCR, at the Secretariat on Tuesday.
The minister expressed concern over a noticeable drop in international financial support, noting that Bangladesh continues to host a large number of Rohingya refugees despite being one of the most densely populated countries in the world.
He said the reduction in contributions from major donors, including the United States, has made it more difficult to sustain essential services in the camps.
Salahuddin stressed that the global community must act urgently to ensure that Rohingyas receive adequate food, shelter, healthcare, and other basic services.
He emphasised that the responsibility should not fall solely on Bangladesh, given the scale of the crisis.
Highlighting the long-term perspective, the minister reiterated that a durable solution lies in the safe, voluntary, and dignified repatriation of Rohingyas to Myanmar.
He urged global stakeholders to intensify diplomatic efforts to create favourable conditions for their return.
He also warned that ongoing global conflicts, including situations in Gaza, Ukraine, and broader tensions in the Middle East, should not overshadow the Rohingya crisis.
According to him, sustained international attention is critical to prevent further deterioration of the situation.
The discussion also covered current challenges in the refugee camps, where overcrowding and limited resources continue to strain living conditions.
