The United Nations has made an urgent appeal for donor support as humanitarian agencies in Bangladesh struggle to meet the growing needs of nearly 1.48 million people — including Rohingya refugees and vulnerable Bangladeshi host communities — amid extreme weather conditions and a deepening education crisis.

“As we reach the mid-year point, the Joint Response Plan remains critically underfunded at less than 20%,” said UN Resident Coordinator Gwyn Lewis from Cox’s Bazar. “We will prioritise, but we cannot abandon the Rohingya refugees in their time of need.”

In 2025, aid agencies requested $934 million to provide essential services such as food, shelter, education, and healthcare. However, the critical funding shortfall is severely hampering the response, especially as monsoon season begins.

Rohingya camps in Cox's Bazar 

Torrential rains over the weekend have devastated parts of the refugee camps. At least 53 landslides were reported across the 33 overcrowded camps, damaging over 1,400 shelters. One refugee lost their life when a wall collapsed, and 11 others were injured by lightning strikes.

“Steep slopes, floods and makeshift shelters make a dangerous mix in such a densely populated place,” said Juliette Murekeyisoni, interim UNHCR representative. “Refugee volunteers are helping relocate families to communal shelters, but we urgently need more space.”

Rohingya refugee children wade through flood waters surrounding their families' shelters following an intense pre-monsoon wind and rain storm in Shamlapur Makeshift Settlement, Cox's Bazar district

Monsoon preparedness typically begins before May. However, due to the lack of funds, crucial preemptive actions were delayed. Humanitarian partners are racing to provide emergency items like tarpaulins, rope, sleeping mats, and water purification tablets.

The crisis is not only physical. An urgent warning from UNICEF has highlighted a looming educational breakdown. The education of over 230,000 Rohingya children is at immediate risk, with 83% enrolled in UNICEF-supported learning centers facing disruption.

“Without immediate and sustained financial aid, support across all areas for the refugees is at risk — especially the education that is vital for the future of Rohingya children,” said Rana Flowers, UNICEF Representative in Bangladesh.

Due to budget constraints, 1,179 volunteer teachers from the host community will have their contracts terminated by June 30. Learning centers will close during the Eid holiday and may not reopen without new funding. Already, end-of-year assessments have been canceled, and children will have to reuse old textbooks for the next academic year. Subjects such as English, science, and social studies will be dropped for early grade students, and only core foundational topics will be taught.

The situation is dire. The UN and its partners warn that without support, this can’t move forward. The lives, safety, and future of over a million people — including an entire generation of Rohingya children — hang in the balance.

BOB Post