UNHCR welcomes the Republic of Korea’s contribution of USD 3 million for Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh [EN/BN]

UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, welcomes the generous contribution of USD 3 million from the Republic of Korea through the Joint Response Plan for the Rohingya Humanitarian Crisis. This timely contribution will strengthen UNHCR’s efforts to provide humanitarian assistance and protection for the Rohingya refugees in Cox’s Bazar and on Bhasan Char.

“As the humanitarian response for Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh is approaching the seven-year mark, the sustained support of the Republic of Korea to UNHCR’s activities in the Rohingya refugee camps in Cox’s Bazar and on Bhasan Char remains invaluable,” said Soo-Jin Rhee, UNHCR Deputy Representative in Bangladesh. “This contribution notably supports the distribution of liquefied petroleum gas, a cleaner cooking energy to Rohingya refugees, and will also advance disability inclusion and strengthen community-based protection efforts protecting the most vulnerable refugees as well as bolstering the resilience of the refugee communities,” she added.

“The contribution of USD 3 million from the Republic of Korea, the largest funding to UNHCR since 2017, will enhance the implementation of UNHCR’s humanitarian response under the Joint Response Plan 2024,” said H.E. Park Young-sik, Ambassador of the Republic of Korea. “This year’s humanitarian assistance from the Republic of Korea for Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh has greatly increased. The total funding of USD 10 million and the first donation of 15,000 metric tons of rice, the biggest amount throughout the period of humanitarian assistance, demonstrates our firm and continued commitment to providing humanitarian assistance for Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh,” he added.

Since spearheading liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) distribution in 2018 as an alternative to cooking with firewood collected from forests, UNHCR has, with the support of donors and partners, helped reverse environmental degradation in and around the camps, while contributing to refugees’ food security, nutrition, and health. LPG usage also decreases protection threats on refugee women and girls, and frees up time for children to attend school.

Korea’s contribution will also support the assistance for refugees with disability, including with rehabilitation and assistive devices, and mental health and psychosocial support. On Bhasan Char, it will ensure the continued provision of community-based protection through running of community centers, provision of lifesaving information, facilitation of community-led projects, and supporting refugee communities.

Seven years into the Rohingya refugee crisis, Bangladesh is home to nearly one million Rohingya refugees, living in the densely populated camps of Cox’s Bazar, and some 35,000 individuals residing on the island of Bhasan Char.

FOR MORE INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT:

Romain Desclous; desclous@unhcr.org; +880 13 1304 6478

Shari Yasmin Nijman; nijman@unhcr.org; +880 18 9480 2700