Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus has called for urgent international action to address the Rohingya crisis, warning that repatriation to Myanmar remains the only sustainable solution.

During a meeting at the State Guest House Jamuna on Wednesday with Ivo Freijsen, the newly appointed country representative for the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), Prof Yunus lamented that the crisis is losing global attention despite the interim government's consistent efforts.

The Chief Adviser emphasized that the prolonged stay of over one million refugees has strained ties with host communities and created a volatile environment within the camps.

He specifically pointed to the growing frustration among a young, tech-savvy generation of Rohingyas, noting that their lack of hope and home could have long-term negative consequences for the region.

"The problem began in Myanmar, and the solution must also come from there," he stated, urging the UNHCR to intensify efforts to facilitate a safe and dignified return to Rakhine State.

During the exchange, Ivo Freijsen highlighted a "dramatic decline" in international aid, which has severely impacted the humanitarian response in Cox’s Bazar.

He stressed the urgent need for livelihood opportunities and greater self-reliance for refugees to mitigate the funding shortfall.

Freijsen also informed the Chief Adviser that the newly appointed UNHCR chief, Barham Salih, is eager to visit Bangladesh and the refugee camps in the near future to assess the situation firsthand.

The discussion also touched upon domestic challenges, including refugees fleeing Bhasan Char to the mainland and the government's progress toward the upcoming general elections and national referendum.

Prof. Yunus reiterated his commitment to establishing a "new standard" for democratic transitions, ensuring that the voting process for new and first-time voters is both festive and credible.