B Mirror Report: The Government of Japan and UNICEF have signed a fresh agreement to provide life-saving assistance to Rohingya children and their families living in Cox’s Bazar and Bhasan Char.
Japanese Ambassador to Bangladesh Saida Shinichi and UNICEF Representative in Bangladesh Rana Flowers on Monday confirmed that Japan will contribute US$1.4 million to support more than 56,500 refugees, including over 36,000 children.
The funding will deliver essential services in education, water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH), nutrition and health.
In a statement issued by the Japanese Embassy in Dhaka, the contribution was described as part of Japan’s more than 70-year partnership with UNICEF and its position as one of the agency’s largest government donors worldwide.
The support also reflects Japan’s commitment to human security, universal health coverage and the humanitarian development peace nexus.
Now in its ninth year, the Rohingya crisis remains one of the world’s largest and most prolonged humanitarian emergencies. Overcrowded camps, disease outbreaks, malnutrition and limited access to education continue to put children at serious risk.
Japan and UNICEF emphasised that refugee camps must remain safe spaces for children until conditions allow for their safe return to Myanmar. Ensuring access to healthcare, nutrition, safe water and education is vital not only for children’s survival and development but also for preserving Rohingya culture and identity.
Ambassador Saida expressed optimism that the new support would improve living standards for both Rohingya refugees and host communities.
“I am pleased to announce Japan’s new agreement with UNICEF, especially amid declining global funding. This aid focuses on critical services like education, WASH, nutrition, and health, reflecting Japan’s long-standing partnership with UNICEF and our strong commitment to human security. We believe this investment will significantly enhance their resilience and dignity, and Japan remains a resolute partner in this essential humanitarian endeavor,” he said.
UNICEF Representative Rana Flowers said Rohingya children face daily risks ranging from illness and malnutrition to disrupted education and lost childhood experiences.
“The support from the Government of Japan will help keep children healthy and in learning, promote practical pathways for skill-building, and give families the tools to care for their youngest children. At a time of shrinking resources, and when the future of an entire culture is at risk, this partnership is a vital investment in children’s survival, dignity, and future,” she said.
Under the agreement, UNICEF will expand access to the Myanmar Curriculum for children on Bhasan Char and continue supporting formal education and skills training for adolescents in Cox’s Bazar.
The initiative will also strengthen water supply and sanitation facilities in the camps to reduce the spread of cholera, dengue and other communicable diseases. Refugee households will receive hygiene kits, including soap and menstrual hygiene materials, promoting both public health and gender equity a shared priority for Japan and UNICEF.
In line with Japan’s global advocacy for universal health coverage, the programme will scale up efforts to prevent and treat child malnutrition and improve maternal and newborn healthcare services. This includes support for the Newborn Stabilization Unit on Bhasan Char and primary health centres in Cox’s Bazar.
Japan has remained a key partner of UNICEF in Bangladesh. Since the onset of the Rohingya crisis in August 2017, Japan has contributed over US$250 million to UN agencies and NGOs responding to the emergency, including approximately US$47 million channelled through UNICEF to assist Rohingya children and their families.
