In a stark warning issued today at the Jatiya Press Club, experts emphasized that taking on debt will not resolve the Rohingya refugee crisis and will likely worsen Bangladesh's existing challenges. This call to action came during a human chain event organized by the Equity and Justice Working Group, coinciding with World Ocean Day on June 8th.
The experts specifically urged against accepting the World Bank's $700 million loan offer, which is intended for local compensation and improving the lives of displaced Rohingyas. Mustafa Kamal Akanda of the COAST Foundation moderated the discussion, pointing out that Bangladesh is the first nation offered a loan to manage a refugee crisis—a precedent fraught with potential economic pitfalls.
Rezaul K Chowdhury, chief moderator of Equity Bd, underscored the critical issue facing Bangladesh. “Bangladesh sought assistance for the damage caused to the host community by the Rohingyas. However, the World Bank's assistance is directed towards the Rohingyas, forcing Bangladesh to take loans to cover the host community's damages. This is a very pressing issue for Bangladesh.”
Echoing these concerns, Omour Faruk Bhuiya of BDCSO Process highlighted the financial strain additional loans would place on the country. “There is no precedent for taking a loan to deal with a refugee crisis anywhere in the world. Borrowing from the ADB and World Bank for this purpose will be burdensome.”
Mamun Kabir of Water Keepers Bangladesh added a local perspective, noting the economic pressures in Teknaf, Ukhia, and Cox's Bazar since the arrival of the Rohingyas in 2017. “The price of goods and rent of houses in these areas increased dramatically. The local people had to bear this pressure. If they do not get help now, that is inhumane.”
The discussion also highlighted a severe global humanitarian aid shortfall, with a funding gap of $33.6 billion in 2023. For the Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh, humanitarian agencies requested $918 million but received only $230 million—merely 25% of the demand.
A study by the Cox's Bazar CSO-AGO Forum (CCNF) revealed that only a quarter of aid directly benefits the Rohingya community. Given these challenges, speakers urged humanitarian agencies to reduce management costs to maximize aid efficiency.
The experts' consensus was unequivocal: loans are not the solution to the refugee crisis. They called for sustainable, planned economic strategies and more efficient aid distribution to support both the Rohingya refugees and the affected local communities. "As young climate advocates, we hold the key to its protection. Through our collective action, passion, and dedication, we can protect our ocean and combat climate change for a more sustainable future," said Leena Joshi from India, emphasizing the broader implications of coordinated global action.
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