Australia has announced A$25.25 million in funding, worth about Tk217.82 crore, to sustain life-saving humanitarian assistance for Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh and local host communities. The announcement was made Monday in the presence of Bangladesh foreign affairs adviser Khalilur Rahman and Australian assistant minister Julian Hill. UNHCR confirmed the pledge in a statement issued Monday afternoon.

The funding will be spent through UNHCR under a humanitarian assistance programme running from 2026 to 2028. UNHCR said the multi-year, flexible support would help maintain essential services amid global funding shortages and uncertainty, including protection activities, skills development, disaster-risk reduction and other necessary services in Rohingya camps. Hill said Australia remained committed to meeting Rohingya humanitarian needs in Myanmar and Bangladesh.

UNHCR said about 1.2 million Rohingya are currently in Bangladesh, most living in Cox’s Bazar camps and almost entirely dependent on humanitarian assistance. More than 150,000 additional Rohingya have sought refuge in Bangladesh since 2024. The agency said international support remains necessary until conditions allow voluntary, safe and dignified returns to Myanmar with guarantees of full citizenship.