Sweden-funded Ukrainian sunflower oil has arrived in Bangladesh for distribution among Rohingya refugees under the Grain from Ukraine initiative, a humanitarian food program launched by the President of Ukraine. A handover ceremony marking the arrival of 3,000 metric tonnes of sunflower oil was held in Cox’s Bazar on Wednesday, organised by the UN World Food Programme (WFP). 

According to a UNB report, the event was attended by Sweden’s Ambassador to Bangladesh Nicolas Weeks, Ukraine’s Ambassador to India Oleksandr Polishchuk, and France’s Ambassador to Bangladesh Jean-Marc Séré-Charlet.

The shipment was enabled through a USD 7 million contribution from Sweden, ensuring the procurement and transport of the oil from Ukraine to Cox’s Bazar. WFP will distribute the sunflower oil to Rohingya camps, meeting the cooking oil needs of around one million refugees for the next three months. France is also supporting the initiative, reinforcing a joint commitment to humanitarian assistance.

“This initiative is unique: it helps meet urgent food needs for Rohingya refugees in Cox’s Bazar while supporting Ukrainian farmers and families enduring the immense impact of Russia’s war of aggression. It is solidarity and collaboration in its most practical form,” Ambassador Weeks said during the ceremony.

Beyond its humanitarian value in Bangladesh, Grain from Ukraine also supports the agricultural sector in wartime Ukraine by sustaining farmers, livelihoods, and national food production. This dual impact helping feed vulnerable communities while strengthening Ukraine’s resilience demonstrates how global solidarity can generate practical, far-reaching benefits.

The initiative reflects growing cooperation between Ukraine, Sweden, France, Bangladesh and WFP, integrating Ukrainian agricultural products into global humanitarian supply chains and contributing to global food security.

During the ceremony, Ambassador Weeks also announced an additional USD 2.85 million in Swedish support for cleaner cooking energy for Rohingya refugees, environmental rehabilitation, and skills development for both refugees and host communities. These efforts fall under the SAFE Plus 2 programme, jointly implemented by FAO, IOM, UNHCR and WFP in coordination with the Government of Bangladesh.

With this latest commitment, Sweden’s total contribution to SAFE Plus rises to USD 23.85 million. Overall, Sweden has provided more than USD 146 million in support to Rohingya refugees and Bangladeshi host communities in Cox’s Bazar since 2017.

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