No Plans for Humanitarian Corridor to Myanmar: NSA
National Security Adviser Khalilur Rahman has firmly stated that Bangladesh has neither engaged in discussions nor plans to discuss the establishment of a humanitarian corridor into Myanmar.
Speaking at a press briefing held at the Foreign Service Academy on Wednesday, he clarified, 'The United Nations only inquired whether Bangladesh could facilitate humanitarian assistance near the border, which would then be delivered into Myanmar’s Rakhine State by UN agencies. We said we would consider the request.'
He dismissed reports of a proposed corridor as misinformation, attributing them to media outlets in a neighboring country. He emphasized that the concept of a “corridor” typically implies an emergency evacuation route, which does not apply to the current situation.
Previously, on April 27, Foreign Affairs Adviser Touhid Hossain had said that the caretaker government had agreed in principle to allow limited humanitarian access—not a full-fledged corridor—to Rakhine, subject to certain conditions, though he did not elaborate on what those were.
The announcement sparked criticism from political circles, who raised concerns about national security and sovereignty. Critics argued that any such decision should involve consultation with all relevant stakeholders.
Khalilur Rahman noted that the Arakan Army now controls around 90 percent of Rakhine State, where ongoing clashes with Myanmar’s military regime have disrupted supply routes, creating severe shortages of food and medicine.
He added that some residents from Rakhine have approached the Bangladesh border seeking humanitarian aid. 'If this continues, it could trigger a new refugee influx, which we are keen to prevent,' he said.
Rahman reiterated that Bangladesh is already hosting over 1.2 million Rohingya refugees and cannot accommodate additional arrivals. He stressed the need for a long-term solution, pointing out that sustainable repatriation is the only viable path forward.
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