The US commends Bangladesh for hosting over one million Rohingya fleeing Myanmar’s violence. The United States praised Bangladesh on Sunday, August 24, 2025, for providing shelter to over one million displaced Rohingya from Myanmar, as stated by US State Department Deputy Spokesperson Thomas Pigott. This recognition coincides with a three-day conference in Cox’s Bazar addressing the crisis.
Why This Matters in South Asia
Bangladesh’s role in hosting the Rohingya underscores its humanitarian leadership in South Asia, where regional cooperation is vital to manage the world’s largest stateless population. The crisis impacts neighbouring countries, straining resources and highlighting the need for collective solutions to ensure stability and repatriation.
Support for Rohingya Refugees
In a press statement issued on Sunday, August 24, 2025, Thomas “Tommy” Pigott, Principal Deputy Spokesperson for the US State Department, commended Bangladesh for its continued efforts to shelter displaced Rohingya. “We commend the Government of Bangladesh for continuing to provide shelter to displaced Rohingya, as well as other countries in the region for hosting refugees from Burma,” Pigott said. The statement marked the eighth anniversary of the 2017 Rohingya exodus from Myanmar’s Rakhine State, triggered by a military crackdown.
The US also expressed solidarity with Myanmar’s people, including the Rohingya and other ethnic groups facing violence and displacement. Since August 2017, Bangladesh has hosted over 1.3 million Rohingya, with more than 750,000 fleeing in 2017 alone, joining 400,000 already in camps, per UNHCR data. Approximately 30,000 Rohingya children are born annually in Cox’s Bazar camps, adding to the humanitarian burden.
Regional Cooperation and US Support
The US statement extended gratitude to other South Asian nations hosting Myanmar refugees, emphasizing regional collaboration. The US has been a major donor, providing nearly USD 2.4 billion since 2017 for Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh and the region, with over USD 1.9 billion allocated to Bangladesh alone, according to Press Xpress. In July 2023, US Undersecretary Uzra Zeya announced USD 74 million in additional aid during a visit to Dhaka, reinforcing support for Rohingya welfare, as per Global Bangladesh.
Overcrowded Camps and Security Concerns
The Rohingya live in overcrowded bamboo and plastic shelters in Cox’s Bazar, with Kutupalong camp being the world’s largest refugee settlement. The camps face challenges like armed criminal activity, cross-border crimes, and human trafficking, as noted by Global Bangladesh. Bangladesh has spent over USD 350 million developing Bhashan Char Island to relocate 100,000 Rohingya, with 22,597 moved as of February 2022, according to International Affairs.
Repatriation Efforts Stalled
Despite a 2017 repatriation agreement with Myanmar, two attempts in 2019 failed due to Rohingya fears over safety, exacerbated by Myanmar’s 2021 military coup and the COVID-19 pandemic, per bdnews24.com. Bangladesh prioritizes repatriation, with Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus expected to attend the Cox’s Bazar conference on Monday, August 25, 2025, to push for global support. Proposals from this conference will be presented at a UN meeting in September 2025.
Background
The Rohingya crisis began escalating on August 25, 2017, when Myanmar’s military launched a crackdown in Rakhine State, described by the UN as “a textbook example of ethnic cleansing” and by the US as genocide. Over 750,000 Rohingya fled to Bangladesh, joining 400,000 already there. The US has imposed sanctions on Myanmar’s military and supported investigations into human rights violations, including backing The Gambia’s case against Myanmar at the International Court of Justice in 2019, as reported by Global Bangladesh.
Bangladesh’s humanitarian efforts have been globally recognized, with former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina praised by US Congressman Ted Deutch in 2022 for hosting over one million Rohingya, according to The Observer. The crisis has strained Bangladesh’s economy and security, prompting calls for international burden-sharing.
Published in SouthAsianDesk, August 25th, 2025
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