Japan government has reaffirmed its commitment to the Rohingya humanitarian response by approving ¥500 million (approximately $3.2 million) in funding for the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA).
The new two-year project is designed to protect the health and rights of women and adolescents affected by displacement in Cox’s Bazar and Bhasan Char.
The funding will enable UNFPA to sustain essential life-saving sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) and gender-based violence (GBV) services for both Rohingya refugees and surrounding host communities.
Funding constraints
The Rohingya crisis remains a protracted humanitarian situation, with Cox’s Bazar hosting over one million refugees. Since 2024, a new influx of an estimated 150,000 arrivals – more than half of whom are women and girls – has further strained settlements.
This comes as the 2025-2026 Joint Response Plan remains significantly underfunded, leading to the closure of six government-run health facilities and a 16% reduction in the midwifery workforce.
Japan’s contribution serves as a vital lifeline, allowing UNFPA to maintain around-the-clock emergency obstetric care, GBV case management, and mental health support for approximately 180,000 direct beneficiaries.
Impact on the ground Catherine Breen Kamkong, UNFPA Representative in Bangladesh, stated that the partnership comes at a “critical moment.” She noted that the funding will sustain services for those who would “otherwise face devastating gaps in care.”
The initiative builds on previous results where over 38,000 women and girls accessed services at UNFPA-supported facilities. In Bhasan Char, Japanese support previously operationalised a 20-bed hospital, which significantly reduced life-threatening referrals and helped maintain exceptionally low maternal mortality rates.
Commitment to the vulnerable
Saida Shinichi, Ambassador of Japan to Bangladesh, expressed hope that the support would improve living conditions for both refugees and host communities. “Japan remains firmly committed to protecting the most vulnerable, particularly women and adolescents affected by displacement,” the Ambassador said.
Since 2017, Japan has contributed over $250 million to the Rohingya humanitarian response through UN agencies and NGOs in Bangladesh, cementing its role as one of the most consistent partners in addressing the needs of displaced populations.
