BM Desk : The Republic of Korea has granted US $5 million to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) for humanitarian assistance and protection programmes for Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh. This was announced in a press release by UNHCR on Monday (20 October).

According to UNHCR, the funds will be used to strengthen disability‑inclusion, protection activities and the supply of LPG for cooking. In Bangladesh, UNHCR’s representative Ivo Freijsen said that the needs of Rohingya refugees are growing, especially for those with disabilities. He described South Korea’s generous support as very important. At a time when life‑saving aid is severely lacking, we are grateful for the support of the people and government of South Korea.

More than 1.16 million Rohingya who fled from Myanmar in August 2017 remain dependent on humanitarian assistance in Cox’s Bazar and Bhasan Char. Since the beginning of 2024, renewed violence in Rakhine State has forced an additional ~150,000 people to seek refuge in Bangladesh.

South Korea’s donation will specifically support disabled refugees through early identification, rehabilitation, provision of assistive devices, mental‑health and psychosocial support, and the construction of accessible bathing and latrine facilities.

Additionally, the continued supply of LPG will allow refugees to use clean cooking fuel. Using LPG reduces protection risks for women and girls, gives children more time to study in school, and lessens environmental damage around the camps.

UNHCR added that the Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh live in one of the world’s most densely populated camps, and after eight years of this crisis, international support remains absolutely vital for their lives.