Bangladesh — humanitarian situation

Bangladesh hosts nearly 1.2 million Rohingya refugees in Cox's Bazar camps as the displacement crisis entered its tenth year on 25 August 2026, with nearly a decade elapsed since the 2017 mass exodus from Myanmar (Islamic Relief, DRC). Approximately 500,000 Rohingya remain inside Myanmar, caught in ongoing conflict and facing serious protection risks (Islamic Relief). The humanitarian situation in the camps continues to deteriorate amid declining international funding, with protection risks deeply entrenched and children comprising over half the 1.3 million refugee population living in conditions of indefinite containment MSF, DRC. Monsoon rains this year damaged more than 5,500 shelters across Cox's Bazar camps due to rainwater, strong winds, and landslides, forcing families to repair homes, relocate, or seek temporary refuge IFRC. Health and food security conditions are worsening across both refugee and host communities. Children are arriving at medical facilities later and sicker, with complex overlapping physical and psychological health needs, reflecting years of restricted access to education and livelihood opportunities (MSF, Islamic Relief). In Bangladesh's agricultural sector, approximately 1 million agricultural households—representing about 5 million people—require emergency agricultural assistance between June and November 2026, an increase of 200,000 households compared to September 2025 estimates FAO. This deterioration occurs as the Asia-Pacific region faces the onset of a strong 2026 El Niño event overlapping with economic shocks from the Middle East escalation, adding uncertainty to fuel, fertilizer, and food markets (UN Women, FAO). The refugee response faces compounding challenges as international attention and resources diminish. Rohingya youth and refugee-led organizations serve as first responders during emergencies and support education systems, yet continue to be treated as helpers rather than leaders within the humanitarian system ODI. Refugees remain stateless, largely without access to education or formal livelihoods, with no durable solution or safe path home in sight despite sustained efforts by Bangladesh, humanitarian organizations, and donors over nine years (Islamic Relief, HCI). The crisis risks becoming largely forgotten by the international community as immediate humanitarian needs continue unmet.