The Rohingya crisis remains a major challenge for Bangladesh. For more than nine years Bangladesh is dealing with this catastrophe. During this period, Bangladesh has successfully conveyed the gravity of the situation at the United Nations and in other international forums. But the path to a peaceful resolution has yet to be seen. Since 2017, on August 25 every year, there have been various discussions, seminars and publications on the Rohingya situation, and because of this, everyone in the country and around the world got the opportunity to know more about this disaster and take initiatives to solve it.
Although bilateral negotiations, trilateral arrangements, multilateral diplomacy, proceedings before international courts, and sanctions have all been pursued, these efforts have yet to produce an effective solution. Earlier this year, the Myanmar military launched air strikes on Arakan Army positions in Rakhine State. During the fighting, shells from Myanmar landed on homes and farmland near the border, frightening local residents and disrupting daily life. Bangladeshi communities along the Myanmar-Bangladesh border live in fear for much of the year because of border clashes, arms and drug smuggling, and cross-border gunfire. The renewed influx of Rohingyas from Myanmar, reductions in relief assistance, and deteriorating law and order in the camps have also adversely affected local residents. Over time, the camps have placed growing pressure on groundwater, agricultural land, and the environment.
Most of the areas of Rakhine State and the Bangladesh-Myanmar border are now under the control of the Arakan Army. The Arakan Army has a large stockpile of weapons. It must be ensured that these weapons do not enter Bangladesh illegally. Currently, instability is stirring in the Chittagong Hill Tracts region of Bangladesh. It is necessary to ensure that the impact of this crisis in Rakhine State does not create an adverse situation inside Bangladesh.
Amid the continuing conflict between the Myanmar military and the Arakan Army for control of Rakhine, a further 150,000 Rohingya have entered Bangladesh. Cross-border smuggling and the trafficking of drugs and weapons are placing additional pressure on Bangladesh’s security environment. Meanwhile, humanitarian assistance for the Rohingya is declining. The combination of new arrivals, natural population growth in the camps, and declining donor support is placing mounting pressure on Bangladesh and risks further deterioration of the overall security situation. Bangladesh, together with all relevant stakeholders, must prepare to address these challenges.
Because of inadequate international funding, the World Food Programme (WFP) began providing food assistance to Rohingya households in three needs-based categories on 1 April 2026. Instead of receiving US$12 per person, around 17 percent of households assessed as the least vulnerable now receive US$7 per person, 33 percent receive US$12, and the remaining 50 percent receive US$10. UN Special Envoy Tom Andrews expressed concern about the reduction in humanitarian assistance for the Rohingyas, warning that such a move could deepen the humanitarian crisis.
The Arakan Army has imposed various restrictions on the movement of Rohingya communities in Rakhine State. With few opportunities to earn a living, their livelihoods have become increasingly precarious. Through asset confiscation, forced eviction, and unlawful and discriminatory taxation, the Arakan Army is systematically eroding the Rohingya’s economic base. This persecution has caused widespread fear among the Rohingyas who remain in Rakhine and is forcing many to flee. If the Arakan Army seeks justice and legitimacy, it must treat all ethnic communities in Rakhine equally and end the persecution of the Rohingya. To date, there is no evidence of a meaningful change in the Arakan Army’s attitude towards the Rohingyas. Communication between any parties in Bangladesh and the Arakan Army remains pretty much nonexistent.
Powerful drug-trafficking and smuggling networks operating along the Bangladesh-Myanmar border have placed Bangladesh’s social stability and internal security under growing pressure. The Bangladesh Coast Guard and Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) are conducting operations in these areas to curb illegal activity. However, expanded law-enforcement operations alone will not be sufficient to combat narco-terrorism. These criminal networks must be addressed through regional cooperation, an integrated security strategy, and strong state-led action. Conflict among armed groups seeking control of illicit cross-border trade is intensifying and increasingly affecting ordinary Rohingya.
The Myanmar government has recently completed identity verification for 426,545 people from the list of 828,824 submitted by Bangladesh. Of these, 388,797 were identified as former residents of Rakhine. Myanmar could not verify 113,507 names on the list, while 4,241 individuals were reported as being involved in ‘terrorist activities’. Myanmar plans to move forward with repatriating these verified Rohingyas from Bangladesh once the security situation in Rakhine improves. Interestingly, the Myanmar government refers to the Rohingya as ‘Bengali,’ rather than recognizing them as one of the 135 ethnic groups in the country. The United Council of Rohingya (UCR), which represents the Rohingyas in Bangladesh, argues that they are not ‘Bengalis’ but rather residents of Rakhine State with a unique ethnic identity. This was even officially recognized by the Myanmar government until recently. Now, the push to label them as ‘Bengali’ is seen as an effort to strip them of their ethnic identity altogether.
Myanmar government claimed that they’re genuinely working towards the safe, speedy, and dignified return of verified former residents of Rakhine. To support this effort, they’ve organized ‘Come and See’ visits and ‘Go and Talk’ visits to Bangladesh, along with on-site verifications and pilot projects. They view repatriation as a bilateral issue best handled directly between Bangladesh and Myanmar. Nevertheless, Myanmar has taken no meaningful initiative over the past nine years to improve conditions for return. Reports indicate that the Myanmar government, the Arakan Army, and the United League of Arakan may be willing to work towards resolving the Rohingya crisis after an elected government takes office in Bangladesh. Bangladesh should explore this opening and use it to advance efforts towards a durable solution.
On 21 April, the Government of Bangladesh formed a national committee under the leadership of the Home Minister to coordinate and oversee all Rohingya-related activities, including law and order. The committee will monitor, evaluate, and review all activities relating to the Rohingya, while also overseeing security arrangements and related matters. Bangladesh continues to seek greater international pressure on Myanmar to begin repatriation while maintaining direct contact with the country.
This effort is being pursued with the support of countries including China. The Rohingya issue was also discussed during the Prime Minister’s visit to China. Important discussions on the Rohingya issue are expected at the United Nations General Assembly session in September. Bangladesh is also seeking to increase international pressure on Myanmar by drawing on developments such as the judgment of the International Court of Justice. At the same time, its diplomatic initiatives must take geopolitical and regional realities into account.
The Government of Bangladesh is working with friendly countries to address this crisis. Bangladesh has sought Thailand’s assistance in facilitating the safe and sustainable repatriation of the Rohingyas to Myanmar. Turkey continues to provide humanitarian assistance to the Rohingyas and is playing an important role in supporting repatriation efforts. The Government of Japan is providing JPY 2.57 billion, approximately US$16.5 million, in grants for projects implemented with UN agencies in support of the Rohingyas. The Government of Australia and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) have announced AUD 25.25 million in grant funding to continue life-saving assistance and protection programmes for Rohingyas in Bangladesh.
Resolving the Rohingya crisis will require international cooperation to support the development and reconstruction of Myanmar’s Rakhine State. Investment in agriculture, education, health, infrastructure, and industry, together with job creation through Rakhine’s reconstruction, could help improve conditions in the state. The United Nations and the wider international community must take steps to end the long-standing hatred and discrimination directed at the Rohingyas in Myanmar. The Myanmar government must change its approach to the Rohingya issue and work with all relevant actors to end their persecution and create conditions conducive to safe, voluntary, and dignified repatriation.
In the coming days, Bangladesh will have to work on several fronts simultaneously to formulate and implement a strong Rohingya policy and specific policies on Myanmar to address the Rohingya crisis. To address the declining trend of humanitarian assistance, all stakeholders involved in resolving the Rohingya crisis should take initiatives to find new donors and ways to address this crisis. A policy should be formulated to ensure uninterrupted humanitarian assistance by establishing a reserve fund for dealing with emergency and crisis situations.
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