Diplomatic Correspondent:
Canada has announced a fresh contribution of CAD 10 million to support the ongoing humanitarian response for Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh, focusing on clean cooking fuel and environmental protection in Cox’s Bazar.
The funding, channelled through UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, and the International Organization for Migration (IOM), will ensure the continued supply of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) for nearly 1.2 million Rohingya refugees living in the camps.
According to officials, in a statement issued today, the initiative is aimed at reducing dependence on firewood, thereby easing pressure on the fragile ecosystem in Cox’s Bazar while improving safety, health, and living conditions for refugees, particularly women and children.
Canadian High Commissioner to Bangladesh Ajit Singh said Canada remains a committed partner in responding to the Rohingya crisis, describing the latest support as a climate-responsive humanitarian effort.
He noted that the funding would help curb deforestation and carbon emissions in one of Bangladesh’s most environmentally vulnerable regions, while also reducing risks faced by refugees, especially women and children who would otherwise collect firewood.
Cox’s Bazar has long been exposed to environmental threats, including floods, landslides, cyclones, and fires. Since the introduction of LPG distribution in the camps in 2018, firewood use among refugee households has dropped by around 80%, preventing an estimated 407,000 tonnes of carbon emissions annually.
UNHCR Deputy Representative in Bangladesh Juliette Murekeyisoni said the contribution comes at a critical time, as the Rohingya crisis enters its ninth year with no immediate resolution in sight.
She stressed that sustained international support remains essential to ensure that refugees can live with dignity while efforts continue for their safe and voluntary return to Myanmar.
IOM Chief of Mission in Bangladesh, Giuseppe Loprete, echoed the sentiment, saying access to safe and reliable energy is vital for families who have endured years of hardship.
He said the support would help refugees avoid the risks associated with collecting firewood, while also protecting local forests and biodiversity.
According to officials, the latest funding will support LPG access for around 243,500 refugee households and help conserve approximately 10,700 hectares of protected forest in Cox’s Bazar, while also contributing to slope stabilisation and reducing landslide risks in and around the camps.
