Dhaka, 14 January 2026 – UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, has welcomed a contribution of EUR 1 million (equivalent to USD 1.2 million) from the Government of Italy to support life-saving healthcare services for Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh. The funding, provided by Farnesina, Italy’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, and its Directorate General for Migration Policies, will help UNHCR and its partners sustain essential health services in the refugee camps. These include primary healthcare, emergency referrals, maternal and child health services, and disease prevention, ensuring continued access to critical care in one of the world’s largest and most complex humanitarian settings. UNHCR said the contribution reflects Italy’s commitment made at the Global Refugee Forum (GRF) to support the protection and empowerment of Rohingya refugees and promote their peaceful coexistence with host communities in Bangladesh.
“Its generous support is vital to safeguarding the health and dignity of Rohingya refugees,” said Ivo Freijsen, UNHCR Representative in Bangladesh, adding that the funding will help address urgent healthcare needs at a time when financial shortfalls are placing immense pressure on life-saving services. Italy’s Ambassador to Bangladesh, H.E. Antonio Alessandro, said Italy has continuously supported international efforts to respond to the Rohingya humanitarian emergency and expressed pride in contributing to critical healthcare activities. He also acknowledged the important role of UNHCR and Bangladesh’s commitment to hosting displaced people while pursuing long-term solutions to the crisis. Now in its ninth year, the Rohingya refugee crisis remains a protracted emergency, with around 1.17 million Rohingya refugees in Cox’s Bazar and on Bhasan Char almost entirely dependent on humanitarian assistance, including healthcare services. UNHCR warned that without sustained international support, hard-won gains in refugee healthcare risk being reversed, with serious consequences for lives and dignity.
The agency noted that Italy’s contribution comes at a time of declining global humanitarian funding, which is forcing difficult prioritization and threatening essential services for vulnerable populations. UNHCR called for continued solidarity with Rohingya refugees and Bangladesh as the host country until conditions for a voluntary, safe, dignified, and sustainable return to Myanmar are achieved.
