Attachments
KEY UPDATES
● 2024 JOINT RESPONSE PLAN (JRP): As of 30 September, the 2024 JRP was 53 per cent funded, with USD 455.7 million received against an appeal of USD 852.4 million, according to the FTS tracker. The 2024 JRP requests continued support for one million Rohingya refugees, who depend on humanitarian assistance, and for more than 400,000 host community members. As the conflict in Myanmar continues to escalate, international solidarity with Bangladesh and support for refugee protection is urgently needed. In 2023, the JRP was 66 per cent funded with USD 578 million received against an overall appeal of USD 876 million. Read more.
● ROHINGYA SPOTLIGHT AT THE 79th UN GENERAL ASSEMBLY: In his speech to the UNGA on 27 September, Dr. Muhammad Yunus, the Chief Advisor (CA) of Bangladesh’s Interim Government reaffirmed Bangladesh’s commitment to supporting the Rohingya. At the Rohingya high-level side event, the CA made three proposals: (1) for a UN-led all-stakeholder international conference on the Rohingya crisis to be urgently convened to review the situation and explore solutions; (2) for the strengthening of the JRP to reverse the decline in funding; (3) and for the international community to fully support mechanisms for justice and accountability in addressing the crimes committed against the Rohingya.
● ONE MILLION MARK: In September 2024, the number of displaced Rohingya registered in the Cox’s Bazar camps and on the island of Bhasan Char surpassed one million, according to UNHCR data. Some 1,003,394 refugees (comprising 203,572 households) are now registered in the joint UNHCR-Government of Bangladesh database — a total population increase of 3.9 per cent, or 37,927 individuals since September 2023. (This figure does not include Myanmar new arrivals seeking refuge in Bangladesh over the past year, as they are not registered.)
● MYANMAR NEW ARRIVALS: On 30 September, the CA’s office gave verbal approval for a ‘headcount’ of new arrivals to enable distribution of minimum life-saving assistance, namely food, health, nutrition, and basic household items. UNHCR will steer, with IOM, WFP, UNICEF and WHO providing key emergency services. As registration for newly arrived refugees is currently not authorized, UNHCR continues advocacy for full biometric registration and calls for non-refoulement and regulated access to safety for civilians fleeing Myanmar, in line with international frameworks. Seeking asylum is a human right and every person has the right to apply for asylum if they are fleeing conflict or persecution.
● ONWARDS MOVEMENTS & HUMAN TRAFFICKING: As of 30 September 2024, 5,300 Rohingya individuals have attempted dangerous boat journeys departing from Myanmar or Bangladesh in search of protection, a 197 per cent rise from 2023. Of them, 190 people were reported deceased or missing. Read UNHCR’s report on onward movements. In Cox’s Bazar, from July to September 2024, 86 cases of human trafficking were reported by partners of the AntiTrafficking Working Group (ATWG), co-chaired by IOM and UNHCR. With the approach of sailing season, the group is developing updated key messages on onward movements and antitrafficking posters that meaningfully address the current context and raise awareness of available services for victims. From January to September, ATWG partners have identified, referred and assisted 231 victims of trafficking. Read the ATWG Q3 report.