Amid rising tensions and conflicting government statements regarding the establishment of a “humanitarian corridor” to deliver aid to Myanmar’s war-torn Rakhine state, Rohingya leaders and civil society members in Bangladesh's Cox’s Bazar have voiced strong concerns—insisting that a UN-supervised safe zone in Rakhine is a far more effective solution to the long-standing Rohingya crisis.
Speaking out against the corridor plan, Rohingya representatives argue that without guaranteed safety and direct participation in planning, any aid effort risks ignoring the core issues. Mohammad Zubair, president of the Arakan Rohingya Society for Peace and Humanity (ARSPH), stressed that “humanitarian aid will be of no use if the Rohingya cannot live safely in Rakhine,” pointing out ongoing displacement by both the Myanmar junta and the Arakan Army.
Civil society voices echoed similar sentiments. Abu Morshed Chowdhury Khoka, president of the Cox’s Bazar Civil Society, questioned the corridor’s motives, citing fears over border smuggling and threats to national sovereignty. Meanwhile, ANM Helal Uddin of the Cox’s Bazar Citizen Forum criticized the contradictory government positions and demanded clarity, especially amid rumors surrounding Saint Martin’s Island.
The debate intensified after UN concerns about possible famine in Rakhine and their request for Bangladesh’s approval of a humanitarian corridor. However, National Security Adviser Khondker Golam Mohammad Khalilur Rahman recently stated no agreement had been reached, contradicting an earlier comment by Foreign Affairs Adviser Md Touhid Hossain.
As of now, Bangladesh’s Refugee Relief and Repatriation Commissioner’s office denies having any official details on the corridor. Still, five transit centers are reportedly ready near the border for potential repatriation.
Recent UN data indicates that between November 2023 and April 2025, over 118,000 new Rohingya refugees entered Bangladesh, prompting concerns about unchecked infiltration.
While the humanitarian corridor remains under debate, Rohingya voices grow louder for a safe zone under international oversight—believing it is the only viable path for voluntary, dignified, and sustainable repatriation.
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