UK Pledges Aid to Support Rohingya Refugees and Host Communities

UK Pledges Aid to Support Rohingya Refugees and Host Communities

British Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper has reaffirmed the United Kingdom’s commitment to support Rohingya refugees displaced by violence in Myanmar, ensuring they receive protection, dignity, and essential services.

The UK will provide food, shelter, clean water, and other life-saving aid to half a million Rohingya, alongside sexual and reproductive health services for 175,000 women and girls, and support for survivors of sexual, physical, and mental harm.

The £27 million package will be delivered through established partners on the ground to reach those most in need. “This new UK aid will provide essential services to half a million Rohingya people and also support Bangladeshi host communities,” Cooper said.

The UK is working with Bangladeshi authorities to promote stability and hope for the Rohingya community. Its historic partnership with Bangladesh spans cultural, Commonwealth, climate, development, trade, and economic links.

The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) emphasized the UK’s leadership in global humanitarian response and called for sustained international coordination to address the root causes of displacement and ensure unrestricted humanitarian access to Rakhine State in Myanmar.

Since 2017, the UK has contributed over £447 million to the Rohingya response in Bangladesh. The new £27 million funding includes:

£6m via the International Organization for Migration (IOM) for camp management support to over 510,500 refugees.

£6m via the World Food Programme (WFP) for food assistance to over 174,700 refugees for three months.

£3.2m via UNHCR to support documentation for 43,000 refugees and provide legal assistance to 31,600.

£4.2m via UNICEF for sanitation and hygiene services for 150,000 refugees, safe drinking water for 75,000, and healthcare for 61,843.

£1.5m via UNFPA for sexual and reproductive health services to 175,000 women and girls, with outreach to 61,300 community members.

£2.24m via NGOs including Norwegian and Danish Refugee Councils, International Rescue Committee, and Humanity & Inclusion to support 138,200 Rohingya and 46,060 host community members.

£4m via UN and NGO partners for skills training to 47,000 households and climate-resilient agriculture for 65,600 households.

This renewed commitment underscores the UK’s ongoing dedication to ensuring protection, dignity, and opportunities for the Rohingya and their host communities.