UNHCR Chief and Bangladesh Adviser Push for Renewed Focus on Rohingya Crisis

In a high-level meeting at the state guest house Jamuna in Dhaka, Bangladesh’s Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus urged global leaders to ensure the upcoming international conference on the Rohingya crisis becomes a pivotal moment to refocus attention on one of the world’s most protracted humanitarian tragedies. The call came during discussions with Filippo Grandi, the UN High Commissioner for Refugees, who echoed the sentiment, emphasising the need to place the plight of the Rohingya—a persecuted minority from Myanmar—back on the international agenda.

“Let’s make it a big success. Let’s hope something concrete comes out of it,” Yunus said, highlighting the urgency of mobilising greater support for the hundreds of thousands of Rohingya refugees who have sought shelter in Bangladesh since a violent military crackdown in Myanmar’s Rakhine State in 2017 forced mass displacement. Grandi, in response, noted the significance of the conference as a platform to reignite global interest, stating, “Let’s put this issue on the map. The UN conference is a great way to put it back on the table” (Chief Adviser’s Office Press Wing, 28 February 2025).

The Rohingya crisis, rooted in decades of systemic discrimination and violence in Myanmar, has left over a million people stateless, with the majority living in sprawling refugee camps in Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh. The meeting in Dhaka signals a renewed push by both Bangladeshi authorities and the United Nations to address a situation that has often slipped from international headlines despite its scale and severity.

A Crisis in Need of Momentum

Grandi, currently on a five-day visit to Bangladesh, expressed optimism about the potential for upcoming high-level engagements to generate new momentum. He specifically referenced the anticipated visit of UN Secretary-General António Guterres in mid-March, suggesting it could serve as a catalyst for action. “We are happy to work with you,” Grandi told Yunus, underlining the UNHCR’s commitment to supporting Bangladesh’s efforts to manage the crisis and seek sustainable solutions.

Bangladesh, one of the world’s most densely populated nations, has borne a disproportionate burden in hosting the Rohingya refugees. The country has provided shelter, food, and basic services to the displaced population, often stretching its limited resources thin. While international aid has flowed in, officials in Dhaka have repeatedly called for more robust global support and, crucially, a resolution that would enable the safe and voluntary repatriation of the Rohingya to Myanmar—a prospect that remains elusive amid ongoing instability in Rakhine State.

During his visit, Grandi also met with Touhid Hossain, Adviser to the Foreign Ministry, and Home Adviser Jahangir Alam. Both officials stressed the indispensable role of the UNHCR and the broader international community in resolving the crisis. They pressed the UN agency to explore alternative funding mechanisms, including contributions from donor agencies and development partners, to alleviate the financial strain on Bangladesh and sustain humanitarian efforts in the camps.

The Rohingya: A People in Limbo

The Rohingya, a predominantly Muslim ethnic group from Myanmar’s western Rakhine State, have faced decades of persecution in a country where they are denied citizenship under a 1982 law that effectively renders them stateless. Successive waves of violence, culminating in the 2017 military operation described by the UN as bearing “hallmarks of genocide,” drove hundreds of thousands across the border into Bangladesh. The exodus created the world’s largest refugee camp in Cox’s Bazar, where conditions remain dire despite international aid efforts.

Efforts to repatriate the Rohingya have repeatedly stalled. Myanmar’s government has faced international condemnation for its refusal to grant the group citizenship or guarantee their safety upon return. Meanwhile, the 2021 military coup in Myanmar has further destabilised the country, plunging it into civil conflict and diminishing hopes for a near-term resolution. For many Rohingya, the camps in Bangladesh—while offering relative safety—represent a life of uncertainty, with limited access to education, employment, and freedom of movement.

Bangladesh has insisted that repatriation must be voluntary, safe, and dignified, a stance reiterated by Yunus and his advisers during their discussions with Grandi. However, achieving these conditions requires international pressure on Myanmar, as well as sustained funding to support the refugees in the interim. The upcoming conference, though details of its date and location remain undisclosed, is seen as a critical opportunity to rally diplomatic and financial backing for these dual objectives.

Challenges of Hosting and the Call for Global Solidarity

For Bangladesh, the Rohingya crisis is not merely a humanitarian issue but also a socio-economic and security challenge. The presence of over a million refugees has strained local infrastructure, sparked tensions with host communities over resources, and raised concerns about long-term sustainability. While the government in Dhaka has been commended for its generosity, officials have grown increasingly vocal about the need for burden-sharing with the international community.

The advisers’ appeal to Grandi for alternative funding sources reflects a broader frustration with the pace of global response. Humanitarian aid, while substantial in the immediate aftermath of the 2017 crisis, has waned in recent years as donor fatigue sets in and other global crises compete for attention. Securing commitments from development partners could provide a lifeline, enabling investments in infrastructure and services that benefit both refugees and local Bangladeshi communities.

Grandi’s visit and the planned conference also come at a time when regional dynamics in South Asia and beyond complicate the crisis. Neighbouring countries, including India and Thailand, have grappled with smaller influxes of Rohingya refugees, often adopting restrictive policies that limit their access to asylum. The lack of a coordinated regional approach has placed additional pressure on Bangladesh, underscoring the need for a unified international strategy—an outcome Yunus and Grandi appear determined to pursue.

Looking Ahead: Can the Conference Deliver?

The international conference on the Rohingya crisis, while still in the planning stages, carries significant expectations. For Yunus, a Nobel laureate known for his advocacy on poverty alleviation and social justice, the event represents a chance to leverage his global stature to refocus attention on a cause close to Bangladesh’s heart. His call for a “big success” suggests an ambition not just for dialogue but for tangible outcomes—whether in the form of increased funding, diplomatic breakthroughs, or renewed commitments to repatriation efforts.

Grandi, for his part, brings to the table the weight of the UNHCR, an agency with decades of experience in managing refugee crises but also one constrained by political and financial realities. His emphasis on placing the issue “back on the table” acknowledges a troubling reality: despite its scale, the Rohingya crisis has often been overshadowed by conflicts in Ukraine, the Middle East, and elsewhere. The involvement of UN Secretary-General Guterres in March could elevate the issue further, potentially galvanising action from member states and multilateral organisations.

Yet, challenges remain. Even if the conference succeeds in generating momentum, translating commitments into action will require sustained political will—something that has been lacking in past efforts to resolve the crisis. Myanmar’s military junta, isolated on the global stage, has shown little inclination to engage constructively, while internal conflict continues to destabilise Rakhine State. Without meaningful pressure from major powers and regional actors, the prospect of safe repatriation remains distant.

A Humanitarian Imperative

The Dhaka meeting between Yunus and Grandi serves as a reminder of the human cost of inaction. Behind the diplomatic discussions and conference planning are the lived experiences of over a million Rohingya, many of whom have known only displacement and deprivation for much of their lives. For them, the stakes of the upcoming conference are not abstract but deeply personal—a chance for the world to reaffirm its commitment to their dignity and rights.

As Bangladesh continues to shoulder an outsized share of the burden, the call for global solidarity grows louder. Whether the international community can rise to the occasion remains to be seen, but for now, the renewed focus signalled by Yunus and Grandi offers a glimmer of hope in an otherwise bleak landscape. If the conference delivers even a fraction of the “concrete” outcomes Yunus envisions, it could mark a turning point in a crisis that has lingered far too long.