A Joint Response Plan (JRP) for 2025-26, proposing nearly $940 million in aid for Rohingya refugees, is set to be unveiled in Geneva today(March 24). The announcement event, scheduled for the morning in Geneva (afternoon Bangladesh time), will be led by Dr. Khalilur Rahman, High Representative and Chief Adviser on Rohingya Affairs for the Government of Bangladesh, alongside UN High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi and International Organization for Migration (IOM) Director-General Amy Pope. Representatives from donor countries will also be present at the event.

This marks the first time the JRP has been extended for a two-year period since its inception in 2017. However, the proposed $940 million in aid is specifically allocated for 2025.
Scope and Objectives of JRP 2025-26

The JRP 2025-26 integrates efforts from 113 entities, including the Government of Bangladesh, various UN agencies, domestic and international NGOs. The core objective is to ensure the safe, dignified, and voluntary repatriation of Rohingya refugees and forcibly displaced Myanmar nationals. Additionally, the plan aims to provide substantial support to the affected local communities in Cox’s Bazar.
According to the United Nations Bangladesh office, the two-year plan reflects the prolonged nature of the crisis and Bangladesh’s ongoing commitment to resolving it. While the financial and population targets for 2025 have been set, those for 2026 will be determined based on future circumstances.
Beneficiaries of JRP 2025-26
The JRP 2025-26 will directly benefit approximately 1.09 million Rohingya refugees residing in camps in Cox’s Bazar and Bhasan Char, along with around 392,000 members of the local host community in Cox’s Bazar.
Indirectly, the JRP’s initiatives will continue to contribute to Bangladesh’s economy. The procurement of essential services, food, and daily necessities will primarily be sourced from domestic markets, with a particular focus on Cox’s Bazar and the greater Chattogram region. Moreover, UN agencies and international NGOs will emphasize local partnerships, capacity-building, and workforce localization, fostering long-term economic and community development.
Funding Needs and Challenges

The estimated funding requirement for JRP 2025 is $940 million, expected to come from member states and private donors. The JRP is not a pre-funded initiative but rather an appeal made on behalf of 113 humanitarian partners, including 56 Bangladeshi NGOs, to secure emergency humanitarian assistance, skills development, and livelihood opportunities for Rohingya refugees.
Of the total budget, approximately 40% ($374 million) will be allocated for life-saving emergency responses in Cox’s Bazar and Bhasan Char.
In comparison, the JRP appeal for 2024 was $850 million, of which only $560 million (65%) was secured. This funding shortfall led to reductions in food and other essential aid, negatively impacting the protection, nutrition, and overall well-being of the Rohingya refugees.
Key Sectors Targeted for Funding

The JRP funding appeal covers eight priority sectors: food security, nutrition, healthcare, shelter, water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH), protection, education, and livelihood development. However, it does not fully address the extensive needs of the refugee and local populations.
Several NGOs and strategic partners operate beyond the JRP framework, supplementing its strategies, plans, and programs. These include organizations such as Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF), the Red Cross and Red Crescent societies, and Turkish NGOs.
While international financial institutions and development-oriented donors continue to support initiatives in Cox’s Bazar, much of their funding remains outside the JRP framework. Efforts are ongoing to align their contributions more closely with JRP sector strategies, ensuring optimal support for both refugees and the local host community.
The JRP remains the primary funding and resource mobilization platform for addressing the Rohingya crisis in Bangladesh, though participation does not guarantee financial commitment from any organization or country.
 

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