The United Kingdom has renewed its commitment to the Rohingya crisis, unveiling a £27 million assistance package aimed at supporting both refugees and host communities in Bangladesh, while also addressing humanitarian needs inside Rakhine State in Myanmar.
British Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper said her government would continue working “relentlessly” to ensure that people displaced from Rakhine receive protection, dignity and opportunities.
The package also includes sexual and reproductive health services for 175,000 women and girls, alongside support for survivors of sexual, physical and psychological violence.
Assistance will be channelled through international partners including the UN (United Nations), IOM (International Organization for Migration), WFP (World Food Programme), UNICEF (United Nations Children’s Fund), UNFPA (United Nations Population Fund), UNHCR (United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees), NRC (Norwegian Refugee Council), DRC (Danish Refugee Council), IRC (International Rescue Committee) and Humanity and Inclusion.
Breakdown of funding
£6m for food distribution through WFP; £6m to IOM for camp management and refugee services; £4.2m to UNICEF for sanitation, water and healthcare; £3.2m to UNHCR for documentation and legal aid; £1.5m to UNFPA for health services for women and survivors of violence; £2.24m to NGOs for education, disability support and host community assistance; and £4m through a range of UN and NGO partner for skills training and climate-resilient agriculture.
With this package, the UK’s total contribution to the Rohingya response since 2017 rises to over £447 million, making it one of the leading international donors.
The British Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) called its partnership with Bangladesh “historic,” rooted in development, trade, culture, climate action and diaspora ties.
It stressed that the renewed support demonstrates the UK’s commitment to humanitarian leadership, global stability and long-term solutions for displaced populations.
The UK also reiterated its call for unhindered humanitarian access in Myanmar and emphasized the importance of international cooperation to tackle the root causes of displacement and build a sustainable future for the Rohingya community.
