Norway pledges $1M to support Rohingya refugees
Norwegian funding to UNHCR comes amid global aid shortfalls as nearly 1.2 million Rohingya remain stranded in Bangladesh with no repatriation timeline
DHAKA, Bangladesh (MNTV) — Norway has pledged $1 million in humanitarian assistance for Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh, as aid agencies warn that funding shortfalls are forcing cuts to essential services nearly nine years after the mass displacement from Myanmar.
The contribution, announced by the UNHCR, forms part of Norway’s 2025–2026 support to the agency’s global budget and will help sustain protection, education and basic services for nearly 1.2 million Rohingya refugees living in camps in southeastern Bangladesh.
The funding comes at a time when humanitarian resources are shrinking globally. Aid agencies say declining donor commitments in 2025 have already led to difficult prioritization decisions, increasing vulnerability in the camps as food, education and protection services face reductions.
Ivo Freijsen, UNHCR’s representative in Bangladesh, said the prolonged nature of the Rohingya crisis has intensified the need for predictable international support. He said Norway’s contribution would help strengthen refugee resilience through education, skills development and livelihood initiatives, while refugees remain unable to return to Myanmar in safety and dignity.
Norway’s ambassador to Bangladesh, Håkon Arald Gulbrandsen, said Oslo’s support reflects a shared commitment with UNHCR to rights-based and multilateral refugee protection.
“Norway and UNHCR share a common vision of refugee protection that is principled, future-oriented and grounded in human rights,” Gulbrandsen said, adding that in the Rohingya response this means being a predictable partner that preserves dignity and supports long-term solutions.
He said Norway was proud to back efforts that strengthen protection for Rohingya women, men and children in line with humanitarian principles.
Beyond direct assistance, Norway is also supporting joint initiatives such as the SAFE+2 program, which provides sustainable cooking fuel to refugees. The program aims to reduce reliance on firewood, ease pressure on surrounding ecosystems and improve safety and health conditions, particularly for women and children.
Bangladesh hosts one of the world’s largest refugee populations despite being a lower-middle-income country. Globally, about 71 per cent of refugees live in low- and middle-income states, increasing pressure on host governments as international funding becomes less predictable.
UNHCR and partner agencies are working with the Bangladeshi government to finalize the 2026 update of the Joint Response Plan for the Rohingya crisis, which sets out funding needs and operational priorities. Since 2017, Norway has contributed more than $55.2 million in flexible core funding to the Rohingya response, making it one of UNHCR’s key partners.
Aid agencies say sustained international backing remains critical until political conditions in Myanmar allow for the voluntary, safe and dignified return of Rohingya refugees.
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