UN Peacekeeping to send back 1,300 BD blue helmets
Diplomatic Correspondent :
The United Nations is facing one of the most serious financial crises in the history of its peacekeeping operations, and Bangladesh is among the countries now directly impacted.
Due to a major budget shortfall triggered by delayed and reduced payments from key donor states, especially the United States, the UN has begun an emergency downsizing of peacekeeping missions worldwide.
As part of these cuts, at least 1,313 Bangladeshi peacekeepers, according to diplomatic sources, will be withdrawn from different UN missions
over the next nine months and sent back home.
The crisis escalated after the United States, traditionally the largest contributor to UN peacekeeping, significantly reduced its funding.
The US government announced it would provide only 680 million dollars this year, down from nearly one billion dollars previously.
This sudden reduction has severely strained UN operations and triggered a chain reaction across missions currently active in some of the world’s most unstable regions.
The UN peacekeeping budget for 2025-26 was set at $ 5.38 billion, but due to unpaid dues from several countries, the organisation is struggling to maintain operations.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has instructed all peacekeeping missions to implement immediate budget cuts of 15 per cent. In reality, this means nearly a 25 per cent reduction in both uniformed and civilian personnel.
The decision is unprecedented, given that more than 50,000 peacekeepers from over 120 countries remain deployed in various conflict zones across Africa, Asia and the Middle East.
These missions include the Democratic Republic of the Congo, South Sudan, the Central African Republic, Lebanon and the Golan Heights, where peacekeepers monitor ceasefires, protect civilians and ensure humanitarian access.
Bangladesh, now the largest troop-contributing country to UN peacekeeping missions, has been informed of the decision through an official letter sent by the UN Office of Military Affairs (OMA) to Bangladesh’s Permanent Mission in New York.
Diplomatic sources confirmed that the letter, dated 14 October, specifically mentioned reductions in Bangladeshi troop numbers due to the global financial crisis affecting peacekeeping missions.
The letter assured Dhaka that the withdrawal is not linked to performance issues.
Instead, it was described as part of a larger cost-cutting plan that affects all major troop-contributing countries.
Bangladesh currently has 5,696 peacekeepers deployed in 10 countries and regions, including South Sudan, the Central African Republic, Mali, Lebanon, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Abyei, Cyprus, Western Sahara, Yemen and Libya, as well as staff officers and military observers stationed at the UN Headquarters in New York.
The UN is expected to reduce the number of Bangladeshi troops primarily in Africa, where large-scale peacekeeping operations are already under review.
Missions in South Sudan (UNMISS), the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO) and the Central African Republic (MINUSCA) are likely to see the highest number of troop reductions.
Bangladesh began contributing to UN peacekeeping in 1988 and has since built a reputation as one of the most professional and disciplined contributors.
Over the last 35 years, more than 178,000 members of the Bangladesh Armed Forces have served in UN missions across 43 countries.
A total of 168 Bangladeshi peacekeepers have sacrificed their lives in the line of duty, while more than 257 have been injured, many of them permanently disabled.
Bangladesh Police also plays a significant role in peacekeeping, having deployed 21,815 officers in 26 missions since 1989.
So far, 24 Bangladeshi police personnel have died while serving in UN peace operations overseas.
The withdrawal of over a thousand troops raises economic and strategic concerns for Bangladesh. Participation in peacekeeping missions brings international recognition and strengthens Bangladesh’s position in global diplomacy.
It also contributes to the national economy, as peacekeepers receive financial allowances from the UN, a significant portion of which flows back to families in Bangladesh.
A large-scale return of troops could create logistical challenges for the military and reduce foreign remittances from peacekeeping earnings.