Guterres calls on global community to support Rohingya repatriation

During a visit to the Rohingya camps in Cox’s Bazar on Friday (March 14), he addressed journalists and called for stronger global efforts to resolve the crisis. Later in the evening, he participated in an iftar gathering with nearly 100,000 Rohingya refugees.  

Guterres stated, “I have come to Cox’s Bazar during the holy month of Ramadan with a message of solidarity. I stand with the Rohingya refugees, and I also stand in solidarity with the people of Bangladesh who have generously provided them shelter.”  

“I am not here just to highlight their suffering but also to draw global attention to their potential. The more than one million Rohingya refugees living here are dignified and resilient. They need and deserve global support.”  

He recalled that eight years ago, a horrific genocide in Myanmar’s Rakhine State forced the Rohingya to flee their homeland. Many have since arrived in Bangladesh, escaping brutal persecution and human rights violations, which have fueled anti-Muslim sentiment.  

“The Rohingya refugees have come here seeking fundamental human rights—protection, dignity, and security for themselves and their families. Today, I have met and spoken with many of them. Their courage inspires me, and their unwavering spirit deeply moves me,” he said.  

“Many have shared harrowing accounts of their experiences in Myanmar and the hardships they endured on their journey here. They want to return home—Myanmar is their homeland. A safe, voluntary, and dignified repatriation is the only sustainable solution to this crisis.”  

Guterres called on all parties in Myanmar to exercise maximum restraint, prioritize civilian protection as per international human rights law, and refrain from actions that fuel communal tensions and violence, which undermine democracy.  

“The situation in Myanmar remains dire, particularly in Rakhine State. Until the violence and systemic persecution end, we must stand by those seeking safety,” he asserted.  

The UN Secretary-General warned of an impending humanitarian crisis, stating that funding cuts could reduce humanitarian aid to just 40% of the previous year's support in 2025, placing countless lives at risk.  

He emphasized that the global community must act immediately, as the Rohingya have already endured unimaginable suffering. “There is no time to waste. The people of Bangladesh have made tremendous sacrifices by sharing their land, forests, water, and limited resources with the refugees.”  
During his visit, Guterres observed significant changes in the refugee camps since his last visit in 2018. However, he noted that major challenges persist, including the impacts of climate change.  

“Extreme heatwaves during summer increase the risk of devastating fires. Cyclones and monsoon floods destroy shelters and claim lives. The refugees here need more than just food assistance—they need education, skill development, and opportunities for self-reliance.”  

He warned that as hope for the future diminishes, violence, crime, and security threats naturally increase. Some desperate Rohingya families are risking perilous sea journeys in search of a better future.  

“It is our responsibility to ensure that humanitarian aid reaches them and to demonstrate that the world has not forgotten them. Even in the best of times, humanitarian assistance has never been sufficient—now, the situation is even more critical.”  

Guterres highlighted that UN agencies and humanitarian organizations are facing severe funding shortages, which will have devastating consequences on food supplies, healthcare, emergency services, and protection for the refugees—who remain entirely dependent on aid.  

“The drastic reduction in funding is hitting the most vulnerable people in Cox’s Bazar the hardest. When aid is cut, people pay the price with their lives. In the end, the only lasting solution lies in Myanmar.”  

“We will not give up until the conditions for a safe, voluntary, and sustainable return of refugees to Myanmar are established. Meanwhile, I urge the international community to step up its efforts. The need for solidarity with the Rohingya refugees—and with Bangladesh—is greater now than ever before.”  

“In this holy month of Ramadan, I call on the global community to demonstrate solidarity not just through words, but through concrete actions and real support for the Rohingya people and their host communities in Bangladesh,” he concluded.