Australia funds Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh

On 3 August 2026, the Government of Australia and United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees jointly announced a contribution of AUD 25.25 million in multi-year humanitarian funding to support Rohingya refugees and host communities in Bangladesh. The funding, part of Australia's 2026-28 humanitarian assistance package, will enable United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees and partners to maintain essential services in the camps, including protection activities, skills development programmes, and disaster risk reduction measures. The announcement was made in the presence of Bangladesh's Foreign Minister Khalilur Rahman and Australia's Assistant Minister Julian Hill. Around 1.2 million Rohingya refugees remain in Bangladesh, most in overcrowded camps in Bangladesh — Cox s Bazar District, after fleeing violence in Myanmar in 2017. Persistent funding gaps have deepened vulnerabilities, with nearly 900 Rohingya reported missing or dead in 2025 during dangerous sea crossings, and around 150,000 new arrivals since 2024. Australia reiterated its commitment to supporting the voluntary, safe, dignified and sustainable return of Rohingya to Myanmar, contingent on addressing root causes of the crisis.