Canada pledges aid support for Rohingya
Canada has announced a contribution of CAD 10 million to support clean cooking fuel and environmental protection for nearly 1.2 million Rohingya refugees living in Cox’s Bazar.
The funding, to be channelled through the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and the International Organization for Migration (IOM), will ensure continued supply of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) for refugee households.
The initiative aims to meet essential cooking needs while reducing pressure on the fragile ecosystem surrounding the camps.
Officials say the programme will also enhance safety, health and dignity for refugees, particularly women and children, by reducing reliance on firewood collection.
“Canada remains a longstanding and steadfast partner in the Rohingya crisis response,” said Ajit Singh, High Commissioner of Canada to Bangladesh.
He noted that the climate-responsive support would help curb deforestation and carbon emissions in one of the country’s most environmentally vulnerable regions, benefiting both refugees and host communities.
Cox’s Bazar, a coastal district prone to floods, landslides, cyclones and environmental degradation, has seen significant environmental stress since the influx of Rohingya refugees.
According to officials, LPG distribution has reduced firewood use by 80 percent among refugee families, preventing an estimated 407,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions annually.
Juliette Murekeyisoni, Deputy Representative of UNHCR in Bangladesh, described the Rohingya situation as one of the world’s most protracted displacement crises, now entering its ninth year.
She said Canada’s support comes at a critical time and underscored the importance of sustained international assistance to ensure refugees can live with dignity.
Giuseppe Loprete, Acting Chief of Mission of IOM in Bangladesh, said access to safe and reliable energy is essential for families who have endured years of hardship.
He added that the support would help refugees avoid risky firewood collection while protecting local forests and biodiversity.
Since 2018, LPG has been a key component of humanitarian assistance in the camps. Studies indicate it has improved indoor air quality and reduced household fuel costs in densely populated settlements.
The latest Canadian funding is expected to support LPG access for around 243,500 refugee households and contribute to the conservation of approximately 10,700 hectares of protected forest in Cox’s Bazar.
It will also help stabilise vulnerable terrain, reduce landslide risks and mitigate human-wildlife conflict in ecologically sensitive areas.
