SDC pledges continued support for Rohingya despite aid cuts

Published February 5, 2025 · Updated February 5, 2025

SDC Deputy Director General and Head of Switzerland’s Humanitarian Aid Division Ambassador Dominik Stillhart on Tuesday talks with the senior officials of Bangladesh about the Swiss Parliament’s approval of the International Cooperation Strategy 2025–2028.

Staff Reporter :

Deputy Director General of the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) and Head of Switzerland’s Humanitarian Aid Division, Ambassador Dominik Stillhart, announced on Tuesday that the SDC will continue its cooperation with Bangladesh on humanitarian issues, including the Rohingya refugee crisis, climate risk reduction, and migration.

Ambassador Stillhart, currently visiting Bangladesh, informed senior officials that the Swiss Parliament has approved the International Cooperation Strategy 2025-2028, which involves significant budget cuts.

As a result, the ongoing bilateral development cooperation programme with Bangladesh will be gradually phased out by the end of 2028.

Switzerland emphasised its commitment to strengthening diplomatic and economic ties with Bangladesh as the country undergoes a socio-economic transition.

Ambassador Stillhart, alongside the Ambassador of Switzerland to Bangladesh, Reto Renggli, met with Chief Adviser’s Envoy on International Affairs Lutfey Siddiqi, High Representative on Rohingya Issues and Priority Matters Dr Khalilur Rahman, and Principal Coordinator for SDG Affairs Lamiya Morshed at the Chief Adviser’s office.

During the meeting, Ambassador Stillhart reaffirmed Switzerland’s continued support for Bangladesh in addressing the Rohingya refugee crisis.

As the crisis persists, he highlighted the importance of keeping the issue prominent on the global agenda and emphasised the need to improve education and livelihood opportunities for the Rohingya population.