The Take Why is Bangladesh saying it can no longer host Rohingya?
Sep 2, 2025
Tony Cheng, a Bangkok-based correspondent for Al Jazeera English, discusses the pressing humanitarian crisis faced by over a million Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh. He shares insights on the dual identity of Cox's Bazar as both a tourist hotspot and a refugee camp. The conversation covers the dwindling aid and financial constraints affecting local support. Cheng highlights the historical neglect by Myanmar’s government and the cultural resilience of the Rohingya people, emphasizing their hope for safe return amidst ongoing struggles.
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Bangladesh Cannot Carry The Burden Alone
- Bangladesh says it can no longer shoulder hosting over one million Rohingya without urgent international support.
- Aid shortfalls and global attention shifting have left a $934 million funding gap that threatens basic services.
Committed Donations Are Largely Unfulfilled
- Donor commitments have fallen far short, with agencies saying only about 40% of promised funds arrived.
- The global funding squeeze risks shutting schools and non-food services in the camps and forcing drastic cuts.
No Lone Power Is Stepping Up Yet
- China, Qatar, Turkey and European countries were present but no single state committed to fully fill gaps.
- Geopolitical priorities and reallocation to defense make large new pledges unlikely without coordinated leadership.