The United Nations refugee agency (UNHCR) has warned that worsening humanitarian conditions in both Myanmar and Bangladesh are forcing more Rohingya to take dangerous journeys by sea. One such journey earlier this month ended in tragedy when two boats sank, with an estimated 427 people feared dead.

The UNHCR said on Friday that the humanitarian crisis facing the Rohingya is being made worse by significant cuts in international aid. Many major donors, particularly the United States under former President Donald Trump and other Western countries, have reduced funding in recent years, shifting their focus to military and defense spending due to rising tensions with countries like Russia and China.

The boats that sank on May 9 and 10 were carrying about 514 Rohingya refugees, believed to have departed from refugee camps in Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh, and from Myanmar’s Rakhine State. Only 87 survivors were found. If confirmed, the loss of 427 lives would mark the deadliest sea disaster involving Rohingya refugees this year.

The UNHCR highlighted that people were so desperate they attempted the voyage during the monsoon season—when strong winds and rough seas make such trips especially dangerous.

“The desperate situation, made worse by a lack of funding, is pushing more Rohingya to risk their lives at sea in search of safety and dignity for their families,” said Hai Kyung Jun, Director of UNHCR’s Regional Bureau for Asia and the Pacific.

“This latest tragedy is a stark reminder of the urgent need for better protection in countries where refugees first seek asylum, and for stronger international cooperation to prevent further loss of life,” she added.

The UNHCR is appealing for increased funding to support Rohingya refugees in host countries like Bangladesh, as well as those still displaced within Myanmar. So far, only 30% of the $383.1 million it needs for 2025 has been raised.

While the US contributed over $2 billion to the agency in 2024—accounting for 40% of its total donations—UNHCR still had to freeze more than $300 million in planned activities this March due to budget constraints.

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