Finland allocates $2.3M for Rohingya refugees amid aid cuts
Finland has announced approximately $2.23 million in fresh support for Rohingya refugees sheltering in southeastern Bangladesh, enabling the UN refugee agency to fill critical gaps in underfunded areas including skills development as global financial support for the decade-long crisis continues to decline.
Finnish contribution to UN operations
The Finnish government has allocated approximately $2.23 million in new funding to support Rohingya refugees residing in southeastern Bangladesh, according to an announcement Sunday by the UN refugee agency. The contribution arrives as humanitarian operations face severe financial constraints. UNHCR stated that the funds will enable the agency to address critical gaps in underfunded programming areas, specifically citing skills development and resilience initiatives for the displaced population.
Deteriorating conditions in Cox's Bazar
Nearly one million Rohingya remain in Bangladesh nearly a decade after fleeing persecution in Myanmar, with living conditions in the Cox's Bazar camps growing increasingly precarious. The UNHCR highlighted that vulnerable populations—including women, girls, persons with disabilities, and the elderly—are bearing the brunt of declining international support. The agency noted that approximately 150,000 Rohingya have arrived in the camps since early 2024, yet these recent arrivals remain without adequate shelter due to extreme congestion and resource shortages. This influx exacerbates existing pressures on already overstretched camp infrastructure.
UN appeals and funding shortfalls
Ivo Freijsen, UNHCR representative in Bangladesh, praised Finland's commitment as the humanitarian response enters what he described as a fragile phase marked by declining funding, worsening camp conditions, and continued instability in Myanmar. "Finland's stepped-up commitment shows great generosity," Freijsen said, noting that the contribution helps address critical protection risks facing the refugee population. The 2026 Joint Response Plan for the Rohingya crisis has appealed for $710.5 million to assist up to 1.56 million people, including both refugees and Bangladeshi host communities. This figure represents a 26% reduction from the 2025 appeal, covering only the minimum requirements necessary to sustain life-saving operations.
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