UNHCR and Kuwait Red Crescent Society Sign Agreement to Support Rohingya Refugees in Bangladesh

UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, and the Kuwait Red Crescent Society (KRCS) have signed a grant agreement to support Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh through shelter repair and sustainable housing interventions, benefiting 2,000 refugee families (approximately 10,000 individuals).

The agreement was signed by Khaled Khalifa, Senior Advisor and UNHCR's Representative to the Gulf Cooperation Council countries, and H.E. Ambassador Khalid Mohammed Al-Maghames, Chairman of the Board of Directors of KRCS, at KRCS's headquarters in Kuwait City.

Through this contribution, UNHCR will be able to repair and maintain shelters and provide essential shelter materials to Rohingya refugee families living in camps in Cox's Bazar, Bangladesh. Shelter assistance remains a critical life-saving intervention in displacement settings, providing protection from harsh weather conditions while helping restore safety, dignity, and stability for displaced families.

Khalifa praised the generous contribution of KRCS, stating: "Bangladesh continues to host around 1.2 million Rohingya refugees, who live in extremely challenging conditions in overcrowded camps. Now in its ninth year, the Rohingya refugee situation faces shrinking humanitarian funding and limited livelihood opportunities, leaving refugees increasingly vulnerable. This contribution will help improve shelter conditions for families, providing safer and more dignified living environments. We deeply value our humanitarian partnership with the Kuwait Red Crescent Society, which reflects Kuwait's longstanding commitment to standing with refugees and forcibly displaced people worldwide."

On his part, Al-Maghames said: "This agreement embodies our shared commitment with UNHCR to alleviating the suffering of refugees and improving their living conditions during this critical time. Through this partnership, we aim to contribute to providing safe and sustainable shelter for Rohingya refugee families in Bangladesh, in line with Kuwait's deeply rooted humanitarian values and the mission of KRCS to support those in need wherever they are."

The partnership supports UNHCR's ongoing efforts to address critical shelter needs in displacement settings by translating humanitarian contributions into practical, life-saving assistance. Through this agreement, Zakat funds will be directed towards improving shelter conditions for Rohingya refugees in Cox's Bazar, contributing to safer living environments and reinforcing collective efforts to protect displaced families and uphold their dignity.

As of 30 April 2026, Bangladesh hosts nearly 1.2 million Rohingya refugees, the vast majority living in highly congested camps in the Cox's Bazar district. Now in its ninth year, the Rohingya refugee situation continues amid declining humanitarian funding and restrictions on livelihood opportunities, leaving the vast majority of refugees almost entirely dependent on humanitarian assistance.