Chief Adviser Dr. Muhammad Yunus has urged the international community to maintain continuous focus on the Rohingya crisis, warning that failure could destabilize not just Bangladesh but the entire region.
"We must pay attention," Yunus emphasized during a high-level discussion on the Rohingya crisis, held as a side event during the UN General Assembly on Tuesday (24 September) afternoon (New York time).
The event was attended by Foreign Affairs Adviser Md Touhid Hossain, UN High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi, ICC Prosecutor Karim AA Khan, IOM Director General Amy Pope, Principal Coordinator on SDG Affairs Lamiya Morshed, Chief Adviser's Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam, and the Chief Adviser’s Special Assistant Mahfuz Alam, among others.
Yunus suggested that the international community reconsider its approach to the crisis. He proposed that the UN Secretary-General convene an all-stakeholders conference to review the situation and develop innovative and forward-thinking solutions.
He also stressed the need to energize the Joint Response Plan, managed by the UN system and Bangladesh, calling for a renewed political push given the declining funding situation.
Yunus’s third proposal focused on the importance of supporting justice and accountability mechanisms to address the genocidal crimes committed against the Rohingya. He stressed that holding Myanmar's military junta accountable is essential for long-term peace and security.
UNHCR chief Filippo Grandi praised Yunus’s leadership, stating, "Honoured to take part in the discussion on Rohingya refugees led by the chief adviser of Bangladesh. This is a yearly UNGA event, but Dr Yunus’s presence and vision meant that it was not business as usual."
Grandi added that efforts must continue to eliminate the Rohingya people’s discrimination, statelessness, and exile.
Chief Adviser's Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam described the meeting as highly successful, with attendees acknowledging Bangladesh’s efforts and reiterating their support.
IOM Director General Amy Pope emphasized the need for continued global attention on the Rohingya, stating, "We must do more and continue to provide much needed assistance and long-term solutions."
During the UNGA, some Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh delivered a message to world leaders via video, saying, "Do not let us down." They urged that their plight not be forgotten.
In response to the ongoing crisis, US Under Secretary of State for Civilian Security, Democracy, and Human Rights Uzra Zeya announced nearly $199 million in new assistance for Rohingya refugees and host communities in Bangladesh and the surrounding region. This funding includes nearly $70 million through the US Department of State's Bureau of Population, Refugees, and Migration (PRM) and over $129 million from USAID.
The assistance aims to save lives by providing food, shelter, and protection for those fleeing violence and persecution. It will also support disaster preparedness, education, and skills training, as well as aid in preparing refugees for their eventual return home under favorable conditions.
Since August 2017, when large-scale violence forced thousands of Rohingya to flee Myanmar’s Rakhine State, the US government has provided more than $2.5 billion for the regional Rohingya response, including over $2.1 billion in Bangladesh.
Nearly 1 million Rohingya refugees currently reside in Bangladesh, mostly in the Cox’s Bazar region, home to the world’s largest refugee camp. The United Nations has described the Rohingya as "the most persecuted minority in the world."
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