UN appealing for over $850m to assist Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh

The United Nations is urging for increased donations to support Rohingya refugees residing in camps in Bangladesh, Al Jazeera reported.

The UN has requested $852.4 million in its annual response plan to provide food and aid to the predominantly Muslim Rohingya refugees and their host communities.

This plea comes as Bangladesh has taken in over a million stateless Rohingya individuals, many of whom fled a military crackdown in Myanmar in 2017.

The UNHCR stressed on Wednesday that approximately 95% of the Rohingya population in Bangladesh relies on humanitarian assistance.

Despite a previous appeal for $876 million last year, only $440 million was received, leading to significant funding shortfalls, the UN announced.

The UN has warned the critical need for sustained assistance, especially for women and children who make up over 75% of the refugees receiving aid. It says the donations will be utilized for various necessities such as food, shelter, healthcare, and education.