The Government of Australia and the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) have announced a new multi-year funding agreement of AUD 16.5 million for 2026–2028, aimed at strengthening humanitarian support for Rohingya refugees and local host communities in Cox’s Bazar.

This partnership marks a significant reinforcement of efforts to provide critical sexual and reproductive health services, gender-based violence prevention, and support programs for youth and adolescents.

This agreement represents the third multi-year funding commitment between Australia and UNFPA, underscoring a shared long-term goal of protecting the lives and dignity of displaced populations.

With over 1.2 million Rohingya refugees residing in congested camps and 568,000 residents in surrounding host communities requiring ongoing assistance, the need for sustained aid is acute.

Women and girls remain at disproportionate risk of child marriage and gender-based violence, a situation further complicated by regional climate instability and a tightening global funding environment.

“Australia is proud to work with UNFPA. This multi-year investment reflects our commitment to predictable, flexible humanitarian funding that saves lives, protects women and girls, and helps communities withstand the growing pressures of displacement, insecurity and climate-related shocks,” said Susan Ryle, Australian High Commissioner to Bangladesh.

UNFPA currently serves as a cornerstone of the humanitarian response in the region, operating a network of reproductive health facilities, women-friendly spaces, and youth centers.

These hubs provide essential services, including emergency obstetric care, midwifery, clinical management for survivors of sexual violence, and the distribution of dignity kits.

Over the past three years, similar support from Australia has enabled UNFPA to reach approximately 340,000 women and girls—including over 7,500 individuals with disabilities—and has been instrumental in reducing maternal mortality rates within the refugee camps.

Catherine Breen-Kamkong, UNFPA Representative in Bangladesh, emphasized the importance of the flexible nature of this funding.

“Flexible, multi-year funding is indispensable in a crisis of this scale and complexity because it allows UNFPA and partners to sustain life-saving services, adapt to changing needs, and protect the health, safety and dignity of women and girls who cannot afford interruptions in care,” she stated.

The new funding aligns with both the Joint Response Plan (JRP) for the Rohingya crisis and the broader Australia-Bangladesh Development Partnership Plan 2025–2030, ensuring that the aid is integrated into national and international frameworks for sustainable humanitarian relief.