DHAKA, June 24 — A humanitarian assistance agreement worth A$16 million (approximately Tk 1.37 billion) was signed on Wednesday between the Australian Government and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) to support Rohingya refugees and host communities in Bangladesh.

The agreement was signed at the conference room of the Ministry of Home Affairs at the Bangladesh Secretariat in the presence of Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed.

Australian High Commissioner to Bangladesh Susan Ryle and UNICEF Representative in Bangladesh Rana Flowers signed the agreement on behalf of their respective organizations.

Speaking at the signing ceremony, the Home Minister welcomed the initiative and expressed appreciation for Australia’s continued support for the Rohingya response.

“I am delighted to be present at the signing ceremony of this humanitarian assistance agreement between the Australian Government and UNICEF for the welfare of the Rohingya and host communities,” he said.

The minister thanked the Australian Government for its ongoing assistance and expressed hope that the international community, including Australia, would continue supporting humanitarian efforts until the Rohingya people can return voluntarily, safely, dignifiedly and sustainably to Myanmar.

He reiterated Bangladesh’s position that the long-term solution to the crisis lies in the safe, voluntary and sustainable repatriation of Rohingya refugees to their homeland.

Senior Secretary of the Ministry of Home Affairs Monjur Morshed Chowdhury, along with senior officials from the ministry, the Australian High Commission and UNICEF Bangladesh, attended the ceremony.

According to officials, the agreement forms part of Australia’s broader humanitarian assistance package worth A$370 million (approximately Tk 31.62 billion) for Rohingya refugees and host communities in Bangladesh and Myanmar during the 2026–2028 period.

Since the onset of the Rohingya crisis in 2017, Australia has provided a total of A$1.26 billion (approximately Tk 107.7 billion) in humanitarian assistance to address the regional emergency.

The newly announced funding will be implemented by UNICEF to support critical services for Rohingya refugees and host communities, including education, nutrition, child protection, and access to safe water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) facilities.

Officials said the programme aims to improve living conditions and strengthen essential services for both displaced Rohingya populations and vulnerable local communities hosting them in Cox’s Bazar and surrounding areas.