Bangladesh seeks Canada’s aid in stronger global action on Rohingya crisis
Foreign adviser urges Ottawa to help mobilize funds and back repatriation of Rohingyas to Myanmar as a sustainable solution
DHAKA, Bangladesh (MNTV) — Bangladesh has called on Canada to take a stronger role in mobilizing international funding and political support to address the Rohingya refugee crisis, emphasizing that the repatriation of displaced Rohingyas to Myanmar remains the only sustainable long-term solution.
According to a report by the state-run Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha (BSS), Foreign Adviser Md Touhid Hossain made the appeal on Wednesday during a meeting with a Canadian parliamentary delegation at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Dhaka.
The delegation included members of the Canadian Senate and Parliament, accompanied by representatives from Human Concern International (HCI).
The discussion focused on the worsening humanitarian situation in Cox’s Bazar, home to nearly one million Rohingyas who fled military persecution in Myanmar’s Rakhine State.
Hossain thanked Canada for its consistent humanitarian support but warned that global attention and funding for the crisis have declined sharply in recent years, threatening the stability of both refugee camps and host communities.
He cautioned that the prolonged displacement has created severe security challenges, including human trafficking, narcotics smuggling, and the proliferation of illegal arms. “The situation is not just a humanitarian issue but also a regional security concern,” Hossain said, urging renewed international engagement.
National Security Adviser Dr. Khalilur Rahman, who also serves as Bangladesh’s High Representative for the Rohingya issue, joined the meeting and reiterated Dhaka’s stance that voluntary, safe, and dignified repatriation to Myanmar is the only viable solution to end the crisis.
Members of the Canadian delegation, who recently visited the camps in Cox’s Bazar, expressed deep appreciation for Bangladesh’s role in sheltering the displaced population. They reaffirmed Canada’s commitment to humanitarian assistance and called for international cooperation to improve education and livelihood opportunities for Rohingya children and youth.
The lawmakers noted that expanding access to education and skills training could help reduce the risks of trafficking and crime while preparing refugees for eventual reintegration into Myanmar.
The meeting underscored the urgency of sustaining global solidarity for one of the world’s most protracted refugee crises, as Bangladesh continues to bear a disproportionate burden despite limited resources and mounting socio-economic pressures.
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