Australia signs A$16m Rohingya aid deal, but funding crisis persists

Australia on Wednesday signed a A$16 million (Tk137 crore) agreement with UNICEF to support Rohingya refugees and host communities in Bangladesh. 

But officials warned that the humanitarian response remains severely underfunded and food rations could face fresh cuts without additional donor support.

The agreement, signed at the Bangladesh Secretariat in the presence of Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed, will fund education, nutrition, child protection, and water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) services for Rohingya refugees and nearby Bangladeshi communities.

Speaking at the ceremony, the home minister thanked the Australian government for its continued support and expressed hope that the international community would maintain assistance until the Rohingya can return to Myanmar voluntarily, safely, with dignity and in a sustainable manner.

The funding forms part of Australia’s A$370 million (Tk3,162 crore) humanitarian package for Rohingya refugees and host communities in Bangladesh and Myanmar for 2026-2028. 

Since the Rohingya crisis began in 2017, Australia has contributed A$1.26 billion in humanitarian assistance to the regional response.

Despite the fresh support, Refugee Relief and Repatriation Commissioner (RRRC) Mizanur Rahman said the overall funding situation remains difficult.

“The funding situation has not improved much. It is still short,” he told Waadaa. 

The World Food Programme (WFP) currently provides monthly food assistance under a needs-based system introduced in April. 

Under the system, about 33% of Rohingya refugees classified as extremely food insecure receive $12 per person per month, 50% classified as highly food insecure receive $10, while the remaining 17% receive $7. 

WFP says the tiered approach is based on household vulnerability, with the highest level of support going to families with the greatest food insecurity.

According to Mizanur Rahman, existing donor commitments are expected to support the programme until December. 

However, if additional donor commitments are not secured, WFP could be forced to reduce food assistance again from September.