The Government of Finland has contributed €2 million to support life-saving humanitarian assistance and protection efforts for Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh, the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) announced.
According to UNHCR, the new funding will help address critical gaps in the Rohingya response, particularly in underfunded sectors such as skills development, resilience-building, and support for vulnerable communities.
Nearly a decade after fleeing violence and persecution in Myanmar, around 1.2 million stateless Rohingya continue to live in Bangladesh, largely dependent on humanitarian aid due to limited livelihood opportunities.
UNHCR noted that in 2025, only 23 percent of Rohingya refugee households earned income through cash-for-work programs — currently the only permitted formal livelihood activity. Meanwhile, 42 percent relied on temporary and unstable income sources, while 35 percent had no income at all, depending entirely on humanitarian assistance.
The funding comes at a critical moment as humanitarian resources continue to decline, worsening conditions for the most vulnerable groups — including women and girls, older persons, people with disabilities, and nearly 150,000 new arrivals since early 2024, many of whom still lack shelter in the already overcrowded camps.
UNHCR Representative in Bangladesh Ivo Freijsen described Finland’s increased support as a strong demonstration of international solidarity at a time when the Rohingya response is facing growing challenges, including funding shortages, deteriorating camp conditions, rising protection risks, and ongoing instability in Myanmar.
Echoing this commitment, Mari Ahmed, Chargé d’Affaires of the Embassy of Finland in New Delhi, said Finland stands in solidarity with both Bangladesh and the Rohingya people, stressing the need not only for basic humanitarian support but also for long-term investment in skills, resilience, and protection for the most vulnerable.
Finland’s contribution comes as the United Nations and humanitarian partners seek renewed global support through the 2026 Joint Response Plan, which is appealing for $710.5 million to assist up to 1.56 million people, including Rohingya refugees and Bangladeshi host communities.
