South Korea has donated US$5 million to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) for humanitarian assistance and protection activities for Rohingya refugees taking refuge in Bangladesh.

The UNHCR announced this information in a press release on Monday.

UNHCR said the money will be used to support disability inclusion, protection activities and strengthen the supply of LPG for cooking.

“The needs of Rohingya refugees are growing, especially for those with disabilities. This generous support from South Korea is very important. We are grateful for the support of the people and government of Korea at a time when life-saving assistance is in short supply,” said Ivo Freisen, UNHCR Representative in Bangladesh.

More than 1.16 million Rohingya who fled Myanmar in August 2017 are still dependent on humanitarian assistance in Cox’s Bazar and Bhasan Char. Since the beginning of 2024, about 150,000 more people have taken refuge in Bangladesh due to renewed violence in Rakhine State.

The South Korean grant will primarily be used to support refugees with disabilities, including early identification, rehabilitation, provision of assistive devices, mental health and psychosocial support, and construction of accessible bathrooms and toilets.

In addition, the continued supply of LPG will allow refugees to use clean cooking fuel. The use of LPG has reduced security risks for women and adolescents, given children more time to study at school, and reduced environmental damage in refugee camps and surrounding areas.

The statement added that the Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh are living in the most densely populated camps in the world and international assistance is crucial to their survival in this eight-year crisis.