Italy partners with WFP and UNHCR to support Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh

Out of the contribution, €1 million will support UNHCR's protection interventions, ensuring safe living conditions and access to essential services. The other €2 million will go towards WFP’s lifesaving food assistance for the refugees and malnutrition prevention and treatment services for children and pregnant and breastfeeding women. 

"These contributions reaffirm Italy's commitment to the Rohingya population taking refuge in Bangladesh, also outlined by Italy’s Undersecretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Maria Tripodi, during her latest mission to Dhaka. We commend UNHCR and WFP's work in the field, both of which provide support to this protracted and multi-faceted humanitarian crisis. These initiatives reflect Italy’s solidarity with the Rohingya people facing severe hardships, and our commitment in defending their dignity,” said H.E. Antonio Alessandro, Italian Ambassador to Bangladesh. 

“This contribution is a testament to the solidarity of the Italian people with the Rohingya refugees and the Bangladeshi host community. Knowing all too well that international support cannot be taken for granted, such generosity and advocacy are critical to keep the spotlight on a crisis that we can ill afford becoming forgotten,” said Sumbul Rizvi, UNHCR Representative in Bangladesh. 

"We are deeply grateful to Italy and the Italian people for their unwavering support,” said Dom Scalpelli, WFP Country Director in Bangladesh. “Eight years into this crisis, the humanitarian needs of nearly one million refugees in Cox’s Bazar and Bhasan Char remain as urgent as ever. It is imperative that we work together to ensure the Rohingya crisis remains a priority on the global agenda. We sincerely thank Italy for their steadfast commitment to the survival and well-being of Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh." 

With limited livelihood opportunities, nearly all Rohingya refugees are dependent on humanitarian assistance for their survival. Every person in the camps in Cox's Bazar and on Bhasan Char now receive the equivalent of US$12 per month from WFP to purchase food. Living in crowded conditions in the camps, they face crisis after crisis, as they are confronted with ongoing threats from extreme weather, fire hazards and insecurity. Italy's contribution will be instrumental in maintaining food security and reducing impact by disasters. 

“Italy's contributions to UNCHR and WFP in support of Rohingya refugees in Cox's Bazar camps demonstrate our strong commitment to addressing the needs of one of the world's most vulnerable populations. This collaboration reflects Italy's broader dedication to humanitarian principles and underscores the importance of international cooperation in responding to complex crises, ensuring that no one is left behind," declared Margherita Lulli, Director of the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation in Hanoi, covering Southeast Asia. 

UNHCR, WFP, and their partners - alongside the Government of Bangladesh - are preparing to launch the 2025 Joint Response Plan outlining the humanitarian needs of both Rohingya refugees and host communities. However, funding has remained a critical challenge in recent years. 

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The United Nations World Food Programme is the world’s largest humanitarian organization saving lives in emergencies and using food assistance to build a pathway to peace, stability and prosperity for people recovering from conflict, disasters and the impact of climate change.

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