By authorizing JPY 500 million (about $3.2 million) in assistance to the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), the Japanese government has underlined its strong commitment to the Rohingya humanitarian response.
The goal of the new two-year project is to safeguard the rights and health of women and teenagers who have been displaced in Cox’s Bazar and Bhasan Char. UNFPA will be able to continue providing Rohingyas and the surrounding host communities with vital life-saving services related to gender-based violence, sexual and reproductive health, and rights.
The Rohingya crisis remains one of the world’s protracted humanitarian crises, with Cox’s Bazar hosting over one million Rohingyas alongside vulnerable host communities.
Despite these growing needs, the funding environment became increasingly constrained, leaving the 2025-2026 Joint Response Plan for the Rohingya Humanitarian Crisis significantly underfunded, said a press release.
This shortfall has already forced the closure of six government-run health facilities that supported Rohingyas, a 16% reduction in the midwifery workforce and over 50% reduction in the number of GBV case managers. Japan’s timely contribution will provide a vital lifeline, allowing UNFPA to maintain around the clock emergency obstetric care, GBV case management, and mental health support for approximately 180,000 direct beneficiaries.
“The Government of Japan’s continued partnership comes at a critical moment for women and girls in the Rohingya response,” said Catherine Breen Kamkong, UNFPA Representative in Bangladesh. “This funding will allow UNFPA to sustain life-saving services that protect the health and dignity of women and adolescents who would otherwise face devastating gaps in care. We are deeply grateful for Japan’s principled and consistent support.”
The new phase builds on tangible results from previous Japan-funded initiatives. More than 38,000 women and girls have accessed essential services at UNFPA-supported facilities across Cox’s Bazar and Bhasan Char, helping to sustain critical care. The partnership also successfully expanded survivor-centred GBV services through Women Friendly Spaces and Women-Led Community Centres, reaching thousands of vulnerable women and girls.
Japan’s assistance helped Bhasan Char’s 20-bed hospital become operational, which greatly decreased referrals for life-threatening conditions and helped sustain remarkably low rates of maternal death in the years that followed.
Initiatives for adolescent empowerment improved girls’ and boys’ understanding of gender equality and life skills, which helped reduce gender-based violence in the long run.
As one of the most dependable and consistent partners in meeting the needs of displaced people and host communities in Bangladesh, the Government of Japan has contributed more than $250 million to the Rohingya humanitarian response to UN agencies and NGOs in Bangladesh since 2017, including through UNFPA.
Saida Shinichi, Ambassador of Japan to Bangladesh expressed his hope that the support from the Government of Japan would improve the living conditions of both Rohingyas and host communities.
“Japan remains firmly committed to protecting the most vulnerable, particularly women and adolescents affected by displacement. Through our partnership with UNFPA, we aim to ensure continued access to essential health and protection services, even in the face of growing humanitarian and funding challenges,” said Ambassador Saida Shinichi.
UNFPA and the Government of Japan partnership will aim at continuing to inspire international solidarity and sustained investment in the protection, health, and dignity of women and girls affected by the Rohingya crisis.
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