‘Bangladesh Can’t Handle…’: Yunus Urges Global Help For Mounting Rohingya Crisis

Bangladesh Chief Advisor Muhammad Yunus has said his country cannot allocate more resources to support the 1.3 million Rohingya refugees. He urged the international community to step in with funding and action, while calling for the safe return of the refugees to Myanmar.  Muhammad Yunus also presented a seven-point roadmap to resolve the crisis.

Yunus Warns of Strain on Bangladesh

Muhammad Yunus, the Nobel laureate and de facto prime minister of Bangladesh, said the Rohingya crisis has created huge challenges for his country. He explained that hosting more than a million refugees has strained the economy, environment, and governance.

At the opening of a three-day Stakeholders’ Dialogue in Cox’s Bazar, Yunus said, “We don’t foresee any scope whatsoever for further mobilisation of resources from domestic sources, given our numerous challenges.”

He called for urgent international support, saying the crisis cannot be solved by Bangladesh alone. “The Rohingya issue and its sustainable resolution must be kept alive on the global agenda, as they need our support until they return home,” he added.

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World’s Largest Refugee Settlement

Cox’s Bazar in Bangladesh has become home to the world’s largest refugee settlement. Over 700,000 Rohingya fled from Myanmar’s Rakhine state in 2017 after a military crackdown, joining earlier waves of refugees.

Today, nearly 1.3 million Rohingya live in crowded camps around the coastal town. The crisis has entered its eighth year with no clear solution in sight.

Yunus’ 7-Point Roadmap

At the dialogue, Yunus presented a detailed seven-step plan to deal with the crisis. He urged the international community to work together on these points:

• Right to Return: Rohingya must be repatriated to Rakhine quickly, safely, and voluntarily.
• Sustained Aid: Donors should close funding gaps in the 2025–26 Joint Response Plan and guarantee long-term help.
• End Violence: Myanmar authorities and the Arakan Army must halt attacks, ensure security, and prevent new outflows.
• Dialogue: An inclusive dialogue platform is needed to reduce tensions, restore rights, and build reconciliation.
• Global & Regional Role: ASEAN, neighbours, and the global community must push for peace and curb cross-border crimes.
• Oppose Ethnic Cleansing: Stakeholders must stand firm against ethnic cleansing and reconsider ties with Myanmar and armed groups.
• Accountability: International justice bodies like the ICJ and ICC must enforce rulings and ensure accountability for genocide.

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Call for Urgent Action

Bangladesh cannot shoulder this responsibility alone, Yunus warned the world. He emphasized that for a long-term solution, international financial and political support is essential.