DHAKA, May 31 (V7N) – Finland has contributed €2 million to support Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh, helping sustain life-saving humanitarian assistance and protection services amid growing needs and funding shortages.
The contribution was announced by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), according to a press release issued today.
The funding will help address critical gaps in humanitarian operations, including support for skills development and resilience-building programmes for Rohingya refugees living in camps in Bangladesh.
Nearly a decade after fleeing violence and persecution in Myanmar, around 1.2 million stateless Rohingyas continue to reside in Bangladesh, with most remaining heavily dependent on humanitarian aid due to limited livelihood opportunities.
According to UNHCR, only 23 percent of Rohingya households earned income through cash-for-work programmes in 2025, while 42 percent relied on unstable temporary income sources and 35 percent had no income at all.
The agency warned that declining international funding is disproportionately affecting vulnerable groups, including women and girls, persons with disabilities, older refugees and approximately 150,000 new arrivals who entered Bangladesh since early 2024.
“Finland’s stepped-up commitment shows great generosity at a time when the Rohingya response is facing declining funding, worsening camp conditions and rising protection risks,” said Ivo Freijsen, UNHCR Representative in Bangladesh.
He said the contribution reflected the international community’s shared responsibility to protect Rohingya refugees until conditions in Myanmar allow for their voluntary, safe and dignified return.
Mari Ahmed, Chargée d’Affaires at the Embassy of Finland in New Delhi, reaffirmed Finland’s solidarity with both Bangladesh and the Rohingya people.
She stressed the need to invest not only in emergency assistance but also in skills development, resilience-building initiatives and support for the most vulnerable refugees while ensuring the Rohingya crisis remains a global priority.
The contribution comes after the United Nations and humanitarian partners launched the updated 2026 Joint Response Plan (JRP) for the Rohingya humanitarian crisis on May 20.
The revised appeal seeks US$710.5 million to support up to 1.56 million people, including Rohingya refugees and Bangladeshi host communities.
Although the revised appeal is 26 percent smaller than the 2025 plan and focuses only on essential life-saving assistance, around 60 percent of the required funding has already been secured.
In addition to this contribution, Finland is also providing UNHCR with €7 million in flexible core funding for 2026 to support emergency operations and underfunded humanitarian crises worldwide.
UNHCR said sustained international support remains crucial to strengthening Bangladesh’s response and ensuring continued assistance for Rohingya refugees and host communities until a durable solution is achieved.
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