Bangladesh backs UN aid corridor proposal to troubled Myanmar
Bangladesh’s interim government has expressed willingness to support a United Nations proposal to establish an aid corridor through its territory to deliver humanitarian assistance to civilians in Myanmar’s troubled Rakhine State.
The idea, first raised by UN Secretary-General António Guterres during his visit to Bangladesh in March, aims to ease the growing humanitarian crisis across the border. However, it has drawn mixed reactions in Dhaka, with some political figures voicing concern over the implications of such a move.
Bangladesh currently shelters roughly one million Rohingya refugees, most of whom fled Myanmar during a violent military crackdown in 2017. While both the UN and Bangladesh advocate for the voluntary and safe repatriation of the Rohingya to Rakhine, the region remains unstable. Fighting between Myanmar’s military junta and the ethnic rebel group Arakan Army (AA) continues to disrupt the area.
Compounding the humanitarian crisis, Myanmar recently marked a month since its most powerful earthquake in over a century. Despite a declared ceasefire, military offensives have persisted, displacing thousands who now live in temporary shelters.
Khalilur Rahman, the Bangladeshi interim government's adviser on Rohingya affairs, told AFP that Bangladesh is prepared to offer logistical support for any UN-led relief initiative aimed at Rakhine. “We believe that such humanitarian assistance could contribute to stabilizing the region and creating an environment conducive to refugee repatriation,” he said.
Rahman emphasized that the proposal remains in early discussions and would require agreement from various stakeholders. “We are engaged in consultations with the UN and other relevant parties,” he added.
Touhid Hossain, another foreign affairs adviser in the interim administration, stated over the weekend that Dhaka would consider facilitating a "humanitarian passage" if the UN agrees to specific conditions.
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