On August 25, 2025, Bangladesh marked the eighth anniversary of the mass exodus of Rohingya refugees from Myanmar's Rakhine State, a grim milestone highlighting the nation's unsustainable situation. Bangladesh is currently sheltering approximately 1.3 million Rohingya, and Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus has stated that the country can no longer allocate additional resources for their support. This declaration underscores the profound strain on Bangladesh's economy, environment, and governance.
In Cox's Bazar, Rohingya communities gathered to observe "Rohingya Genocide Remembrance Day," calling for an end to their protracted displacement and demanding equal rights in Myanmar. Youth leader Mohammad Humayun described their lives as "confined and uncertain" eight years after fleeing their homeland. The humanitarian situation has been further exacerbated by international aid cuts. The World Food Programme (WFP) has announced plans to halve food rations, reducing them from $12.50 to $6 per person per month, a move that has raised concerns about a growing "lost generation" due to disrupted education and increased vulnerabilities.
To address the escalating crisis, Bangladesh hosted a three-day international conference in Cox's Bazar, beginning August 24, 2025. Chief Adviser Yunus attended on August 25, aiming to foster a sustainable solution and a roadmap for the safe and dignified return of the Rohingya to Myanmar. The conference, titled 'Partner Dialogue: Messages Received for Discussion at the High-Level Conference on the Rohingya Situation,' brought together international dignitaries, UN representatives, and diplomats.
Despite these efforts, the prospect of repatriation remains distant, with no refugees having returned since the initial 2017 influx. The situation in Rakhine State continues to be volatile, with the Arakan Army reportedly gaining control and an estimated 150,000 more Rohingya having crossed into Bangladesh in the past year alone. The economic impact on Bangladesh is substantial, with estimates of over $1.21 billion annually required to maintain the refugee population, further straining the nation's resources and development prospects.