Rohingya refugees: World must meet funding shortfall

The Rohingya crisis, now in its seventh year, continues to test the resilience of the international humanitarian system and the moral conscience of the world. More than one million Rohingya refugees currently reside in squalid, overcrowded camps in Cox's Bazar, Bangladesh. Driven from their ancestral homeland in Rakhine State, Myanmar, by one of the most brutal campaigns of ethnic violence in recent memory, these refugees have been living under makeshift tarpaulin roofs, in what has become one of the most densely populated areas on earth -- just 24 square kilometres of land, housing a vast population in exile.

Despite the heroic efforts of the Bangladesh government, local communities, and international humanitarian agencies, the situation for the Rohingyas is becoming increasingly dire. Not only have the conditions deteriorated within the camps due to prolonged displacement and environmental degradation, but also an alarming shortfall in international funding now threatens the very survival of this vulnerable population. Without urgent international action, the ongoing deplorable humanitarian situation may worsen, pushing an already traumatised community to the brink of desperation.

The current Rohingya crisis erupted in August 2017 when Myanmar's military unleashed a wave of targeted violence in Rakhine State, forcing over 700,000 Rohingya people to flee across the border to Bangladesh. With the influx that followed, Bangladesh became host to what is now the world's largest refugee settlement. Although Rohingyas were previously excluded from full citizenship and basic rights in Myanmar, the scale of brutality that ensued -- from arson and rape to indiscriminate killings -- amounted to what the United Nations described as a textbook example of ethnic cleansing.

In the face of such atrocities, the global community rallied, at least initially. A coordinated mechanism called the Joint Response Plan (JRP) was created, enabling the United Nations agencies and the Bangladesh government to pool resources and coordinate efforts to provide food, healthcare, shelter, water, sanitation, and education to the refugees. It was a shining example of multilateral cooperation, with many donor countries and international organizations stepping forward in solidarity.

However, this early momentum is now faltering. The crisis of compassion is being replaced by a crisis of commitment.

According to reports, the funding situation for Rohingya assistance has reached a critical point. In 2024, the JRP sought $934 million to provide basic services and support to the refugee community. As of May, only 15 per cent of that amount had been secured. This marks a continuation of the downward trend from last year, when the appeal for $852 million raised only $558 million. This widening gap between needs and resources is not just a bureaucratic concern -- it is a matter of life and death.

The consequences of such funding shortfalls are grave. The World Food Programme (WFP), for instance, has already reduced the monthly food voucher per refugee from $12.50 to $6 due to severe funding shortfalls.

The UNHCR has warned that unless additional funds are secured soon, health services will be severely disrupted by September, and food assistance could cease altogether by December. Such developments could have devastating effects --malnutrition, disease outbreaks, and social unrest are all likely outcomes in such conditions.

The funding crisis is being exacerbated by shifting global priorities. With major Western donors -- including the United States -- redirecting resources towards military support in Ukraine and other geopolitical hotspots, humanitarian crises like that of the Rohingyas are falling by the wayside. Global humanitarian budgets are shrinking even as global displacement reaches historic highs. This is not just a failure of economics; it is a failure of ethics.

The situation is further complicated by a renewed influx of Rohingyas into Bangladesh. In the past 18 months alone, at least 150,000 more refugees have crossed the border due to ongoing violence and persecution in Myanmar's Rakhine State. Far from improving, the situation within Myanmar has become more unstable due to military rule and widespread conflict. For the Rohingyas, the threat of further ethnic violence looms large, and for Bangladesh, the burden of hosting more displaced people becomes increasingly unsustainable.

The international community must recognise that the prolonged stay of refugees in host countries without adequate support creates long-term risks -- not only humanitarian but also social, environmental, and political. The host community in Cox's Bazar has already sacrificed much, enduring environmental degradation, rising living costs, and social strain. It is unreasonable -- and unjust -- to expect Bangladesh to continue bearing this burden alone.

It is imperative that the world not only steps up funding for Rohingya humanitarian assistance but also actively supports sustainable solutions to the crisis. While humanitarian aid is essential for immediate survival, the only viable long-term solution is safe, voluntary, and dignified repatriation of the Rohingyas to their homeland in Myanmar. For this to happen, the international community must exert consistent and coordinated pressure on the Myanmar military junta to ensure the protection of the rights of the Rohingyas and guarantee their citizenship, security, and access to justice.

In this regard, the international legal mechanisms and diplomatic platforms, including the International Court of Justice (ICJ), the UN Security Council, ASEAN, and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), must intensify efforts to hold Myanmar accountable and push for inclusive political reforms.

Bangladesh has shown tremendous generosity in opening its borders to a persecuted population. But generosity cannot be a substitute for global responsibility. The crisis is international in origin and must be international in its resolution.

Addressing the funding gap for the Rohingya crisis must begin with moral clarity. The world must reaffirm that no population should be allowed to languish in limbo, deprived of basic human dignity, simply because their suffering is no longer headline news. Donor countries must recommit themselves to the humanitarian principles they claim to uphold.

Firstly, major donors, especially those who once played a significant role in supporting Rohingya assistance, must increase their contributions to the JRP. New donors -- including emerging economies -- should be encouraged to participate as part of a shared global responsibility.

Secondly, humanitarian aid must be depoliticised. The provision of food, healthcare, and education to vulnerable populations should never be held hostage to shifting geopolitical interests.

Thirdly, regional cooperation must be enhanced. Countries in South and Southeast Asia must develop a coordinated framework for refugee management, burden-sharing, and cross-border humanitarian assistance.

Finally, repatriation should remain the central pillar of international engagement with the Rohingya issue. This requires not only sustained diplomatic pressure but also investment in rebuilding the Rakhine State with infrastructure, security guarantees, and inclusive governance mechanisms that can ensure the safe return of the Rohingya people.

The plight of the Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh is not merely a local or regional issue -- it is a global test of our shared humanity. The international community must act now, decisively and generously, to bridge the widening funding gap and prevent a humanitarian disaster. At the same time, the world must press harder for a sustainable, rights-based solution in Myanmar. The cost of inaction is too high, not just for the Rohingya, but for the credibility of global humanitarian commitment.

Bangladesh has done more than its fair share. Now the world must do the same. 

mirmostafiz@yahoo.com