Experts have called for stronger, more co-ordinated, and sustained international commitment to ensure a sustainable future for Rohingya refugees and support Bangladesh in addressing the protracted crisis.
The call was made at an event titled “Confluence 2026: A Convening of Partnership, Appreciation and Commitment,” organised by the International Rescue Committee (IRC) at Hotel Sheraton in Dhaka on Saturday.
The event marked the ninth anniversary of the mass displacement of Rohingya people from Myanmar to Bangladesh in August 2017.
It also recognised the contributions and partnerships of national and international humanitarian organisations supporting the Rohingya response under the leadership of the Government of Bangladesh.
State Minister for Foreign Affairs Humaiun Kobir attended the event as the chief guest.
Speaking at the event, Humaiun Kobir said, “The international community must work collectively to create meaningful pressure on Myanmar to ensure the sustainable and dignified return of the Rohingya to their country.”
“They should also share the burden of this protracted crisis with Bangladesh by expanding opportunities for third-country resettlement and other durable solutions for the Rohingya. The Rohingya crisis must not be allowed to become a forgotten crisis,” he added.
He further added, “Under the leadership of the Prime Minister, the Government has made resolving the Rohingya crisis one of our foremost foreign policy priorities. We are not merely seeking to manage the crisis through humanitarian assistance; we remain firmly committed to pursuing a sustainable and lasting solution to the Rohingya crisis.”
IRC deputy regional director for Asia Hasina Rahman warned that “business as usual” would not carry the response into the future.
“Nine years in, business as usual will not carry us into year ten, or year fifteen. With funds shrinking and global attention drifting elsewhere from this crisis, we must plan together, prioritise protection and the most vulnerable,” she said.
Rohingya human rights advocate Lucky Karim emphasised that peace and stability must be established first.
“Before any repatriation process can begin, the international community must work to establish peace, security and stability in Rakhine. Until a conducive environment is created for the safe, voluntary and dignified return of Rohingya, those living in the camps in Bangladesh must have access to quality education and sustainable livelihood opportunities to help reduce their dependency on humanitarian assistance,” Karim said.
The event featured two panel discussions, bringing together representatives from the Government of Bangladesh, donor agencies, the humanitarian sector, Rohingya and host communities, and academia to discuss a shared vision for the response’s future.
The discussions highlighted the evolving humanitarian context and underscored the importance of sustained international support, strengthened protection, and continued access to essential services.
Panelists also emphasised the need for a long-term, integrated approach that places the rights, dignity, and aspirations of both Rohingya refugees and host communities at the centre of the response.
Panelists included Dr Mohammad Zakaria, director general (secretary), NGO Affairs Bureau; Mohammad Mizanur Rahman, refugee relief and repatriation commissioner (RRRC); Farah Kabir, country director, ActionAid Bangladesh; Jean Pesme, divisional director, World Bank Bangladesh and Bhutan; Hammah Hossain, representative of the Australian High Commission in Bangladesh; and the acting country director of IRC Bangladesh, among others.
The event was moderated by IRC Regional Advocacy Specialist Sabira Sultana Nupur.
The gathering was attended by senior officials of the Government of Bangladesh, representatives of diplomatic missions, UN agencies, national and international NGOs, development partners, academics, and representatives of Rohingya-led organisations.
