Bangladesh Agrees to UN Request for Myanmar Humanitarian Corridor

Bangladesh has agreed in principle to a United Nations request to establish a humanitarian corridor along its border with Myanmar’s Rakhine state, Anadolu Agency reported. The corridor aims to deliver essential humanitarian aid to citizens within the war-torn region.

Foreign Affairs Adviser Md. Towhid Hossain confirmed the decision, stating that the agreement is subject to certain conditions. He emphasized that the initiative is crucial for Bangladesh’s interest in the repatriation of over 1.3 million Rohingya refugees currently hosted in Cox’s Bazar.

The United Nations Refugee Agency (UNHCR) has requested that Bangladeshi authorities provide shelter for more than 113,000 newly arrived Rohingya refugees who have fled Myanmar’s escalating armed conflict between the junta government and rebels since November 2023, officials said on Monday.

The humanitarian situation in Rakhine has worsened due to the Myanmar junta blocking supplies, leading the UN to fear famine. The corridor is intended solely for goods, not weapons, addressing concerns about its potential misuse.

Hossain noted that the Myanmar side of the border is controlled by the Arakan Army, a non-state actor. While Bangladesh avoids formal contact, some communication is necessary due to the on-the-ground reality.