Despite repeated international attention, the repatriation of Rohingya refugees from Bangladesh to Myanmar remains unresolved, raising questions about global accountability and humanitarian priorities.
During last Ramadan, Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus, standing alongside UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres in a refugee camp, expressed hope that the Rohingya would be able to offer Eid prayers in their homeland of Arakan. That promise has yet to materialize. Instead, the crisis has deepened: over the past 18 months, nearly 200,000 more Rohingya have crossed into Bangladesh, bringing the total number of refugees in the country to approximately 1.7 million.
Critics say the UN has failed to take meaningful steps toward repatriation since the Secretary-General’s visit. There has been little pressure on Myanmar, no condemnation, and no clear roadmap to address the ongoing crimes against humanity. Meanwhile, attention has focused on Bangladesh, with reports suggesting that the UNHCR is seeking alternative funding sources, including donations from the host country. The Bangladeshi Ministry of Foreign Affairs has reportedly recommended an annual contribution of $10,000 to the UNHCR, arguing that direct donor status would allow Bangladesh a greater role in decision-making.
Bangladesh, despite not being a signatory to the 1951 Refugee Convention or its 1967 Protocol, has provided shelter to the Rohingya on humanitarian grounds. The country has borne the financial and social burden largely on its own, with estimates suggesting that the Rohingya presence costs Bangladesh over $1 billion annually in direct and indirect expenses. Experts argue that asking a developing country already stretched to its limits to contribute financially is both illogical and ethically questionable.
Concerns are also rising over the allocation of international aid. Allegations suggest a significant portion of NGO budgets is absorbed by management costs rather than on-the-ground support. Analysts recommend that the UNHCR engage local NGOs to implement programs more cost-effectively.
Humanitarian experts stress that while aid is essential, it cannot replace justice. Without serious international pressure on Myanmar and a concrete plan for repatriation, the Rohingya crisis is likely to worsen, leaving Bangladesh and the global community grappling with one of the world’s most pressing refugee challenges.
