UN agencies hold nearly 88pc of Rohingya response funds
Nearly 88 percent of funding under the 2026 Joint Response Plan (JRP) for the Rohingya humanitarian response is held by UN agencies, while local NGOs receive just 2.5 percent of funding allocated for the refugee camps, according to research presented at a press conference here on Tuesday.
The findings were presented at a press conference titled “Where Is the Funding for the Rohingya Response Going?” organised by the Cox’s Bazar CSO-NGO Forum (CCNF) and COAST Foundation at the Cox’s Bazar Press Club.
The research found that USD 710.5 million is required under the 2026 JRP to assist 1.56 million people. Of the total funding, 87.96 percent is held by UN agencies, 7.78 percent by international NGOs and 4.26 percent by national NGOs.
Local NGOs have no funding as appealing partners under the JRP, according to the presentation.
Within funding allocated specifically for the Rohingya camps, international NGOs receive 63.6 percent, national NGOs 33.9 percent and local NGOs only 2.5 percent.
The presentation also showed that of USD 150 million in funding from the United States, 92 percent went to UN agencies and 8 percent to international NGOs.
Speakers at the event criticised the current funding structure and called for greater participation of local organisations in decision making and implementation.
Md Shahinur Islam of COAST Foundation, who presented the findings, said local organisations should have greater access to humanitarian funding given their direct engagement with both refugees and host communities.
Anjuman Ara Begum of Rokeya Foundation called for meaningful engagement of local NGOs in humanitarian response efforts and demanded that at least 25 percent of humanitarian funding be provided directly to local organisations.
Helal Uddin, executive director of local NGO Agrajatra, said local organisations have no access, or only very limited access, under the current JRP and Pooled Fund mechanisms.
He called for local organisations to be included as appealing partners in the JRP so that they can directly access humanitarian funds.
Nurul Islam Helali, president of the Journalist Association Cox’s Bazar, said funding to local NGOs should not be viewed as charity but as the right of local organisations involved in the humanitarian response.
Speakers also raised concerns about the growing impact of the Rohingya crisis on host communities and the environment.
Nurul Kabir, a member of Rajapalong Union Parishad, said local people living in areas surrounding the camps were receiving little or no assistance, while Rohingya refugees were receiving various forms of humanitarian support.
Robiul Alam, president of the Ukhiya Rights Implementation Committee, highlighted the need to protect the environment, preserve surface water and restore agricultural land affected by the refugee influx.
Helal Uddin said waste generated in the camps was damaging local farmland and called for a permanent solution to the problem.
Nasir Uddin said there had been no progress in Rohingya repatriation, adding that frustration and uncertainty among host communities continued to grow.
He also said the crisis had significantly affected education in Cox’s Bazar and stressed the need for long term investment in education and skills development for the local population.
CCNF Member Secretary Zahangir Alam said peaceful coexistence between the Rohingya and host communities would not be possible without a sustainable solution to the crisis.
Jafor Alam, general secretary of the Ukhiya Imam Somity, called for greater involvement of ASEAN, China and other regional and international organisations in efforts to resolve the crisis.
Momtaz Uddin Bahari, general secretary of the Cox’s Bazar Press Club, also stressed the need for an effective and sustainable solution.
The event was moderated by Zahangir Alam and attended by members of CCNF and journalists from print and electronic media.
The Rohingya crisis has entered its 10th year since the massive influx began
