Bangladesh

Introduction

Bangladesh is currently home to almost 1.2 million Rohingya refugees who have fled targeted violence, large-scale armed attacks, and human rights violations in neighbouring Myanmar. 

Most of them stay in the congested refugee camps of Cox’s Bazar, where conditions are extremely dire, with serious and worsening security and protection concerns. There is currently no realistic prospect for voluntary, safe, dignified and sustainable return as high intensity conflict continues to rage in Myanmar, including in Rakhine State. Due to their precarious circumstances, Rohingya people continue to embark on dangerous sea journeys to neighbouring countries like Indonesia and Malaysia in search of a better life.

Bangladesh is also one of the most disaster-prone countries in the world, exposed to a variety of natural hazard-induced disasters including cyclones, floods, and earthquakes.

Facts & figures

Through its humanitarian efforts, the EU provides vital support to those in need.

What are the needs?

Over the past 40 years, the Rohingya – an ethnic, religious, and linguistic minority – have fled persecution and discrimination in Myanmar, mostly seeking refuge in neighbouring Bangladesh.

Displaced people

Following violent military crackdowns in the northern parts of Myanmar’s Rakhine State in August 2017, more than 750,000 Rohingya fled across the border in search of protection and assistance in Cox’s Bazar. This is one of the poorest districts in Bangladesh and prone to natural hazards.

Poor living conditions

Efforts have been made to ensure better living conditions for the Rohingya refugees, but their situation remains precarious. It has continued deteriorating in the past year due to the protracted nature of the crisis, lack of more sustainable and durable solutions, increased tension in neighbouring Myanmar, and decreasing humanitarian funding.

Being the world’s largest stateless population, most Rohingya do not have formal refugee status, and have limited access livelihood and economic opportunities. They remain vulnerable to exploitation and serious protection risks. Living in refugee camps with no self-reliance opportunities, they depend entirely on humanitarian aid.

Conflict

The intensifying conflict between the Myanmar Armed Forces (MAF) and the Arakan Army in Myanmar’s Rakhine State has significantly worsened the security and protection conditions in the Rohingya refugee camps of Cox’s Bazar since early 2024. The camps have seen a rise in physical threats, killings, forced recruitment, and child 

The situation in the camps thus requires urgent funding to sustain essential assistance and prevent further deterioration of living conditions for the refugees.

The effects of climate change

Due to its geographical location, Bangladesh is also prone to seasonal flooding, landslides, and cyclones. This makes Bangladesh one of the most vulnerable countries in the world to the effects of climate change.

Over the past decades, Bangladesh has developed emergency preparedness and response mechanisms, which continue to save lives before and during major disasters. However, climate change and environmental degradation are likely to worsen the frequency and intensity of these natural hazard-induced disasters – all contributing to increasing humanitarian needs. 

How are we helping?

For 2026, the initial humanitarian allocation amounts to €23.4 million. In 2025, the EU approved €34.3 million in humanitarian aid for Bangladesh.

Most of the EU’s humanitarian funding aims to support the Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh, as well as their host communities through:

• food assistance and nutrition assistance
• access to water, sanitation, and healthcare services
• education
• shelter and camp management
• site management and site development
• disaster preparedness
• increased protection for the most vulnerable groups

Around 35,000 Rohingya refugees are also hosted on the Bangladeshi island of Bhasan Char, with limited access to essential services. The EU has been supporting refugees in Bhasan Char since 2022.

The effects of climate change

EU humanitarian funding is also supporting efforts to reduce the impact of floods, cyclones and landslides in highly affected parts of Bangladesh, by promoting and enhancing anticipatory action. In 2025-2026, a total of €7 million will support disaster preparedness, and disaster risk reduction and resilience in Bangladesh. 

There is a particular focus on early warning systems and effective anticipatory action models, shock responsive social protection, and involvement of the private sector.

In 2024, the EU mobilised over €5 million in emergency aid, in response to multiple disasters, including tropical cyclones and floods. 

_{Last updated: 23/01/2026}