Urgent Call for LPG Support in Rohingya Refugee Camps

The Rohingya people, a Muslim minority from Rakhine State in Myanmar, have faced severe persecution, leading to a mass exodus to Bangladesh. Since 2017, over 750,000 Rohingya have sought refuge in the Cox’s Bazar district, where they live in overcrowded camps. The international community initially responded with significant aid, but as funding has dwindled, the situation for these refugees has become increasingly precarious.

The Guardian

The Rohingya refugees are currently facing a critical shortage of cooking fuel, which has dire implications for their food security and environmental sustainability. In 2024, the United States was the largest donor to the Rohingya Joint Response Plan, contributing nearly $145 million. However, in 2025, this funding was reduced by almost a third to $100.7 million, resulting in a decrease in the plan's overall funding from 68% to 46%. This reduction has strained the provision of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), essential for cooking.

The Guardian

Babar Baloch, a spokesperson for the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), warned that without immediate funding, the LPG supply would run out. While countries like China and South Korea have stepped in to provide some assistance, their plans are limited and do not cover all households in the camps.

The Guardian

The lack of LPG has forced many Rohingya to revert to collecting firewood, which exacerbates deforestation and leads to tensions with local communities. This situation not only threatens the environment but also keeps children out of school as they are tasked with gathering fuel. The financial implications of this crisis extend beyond immediate needs; the disruption of humanitarian aid could lead to long-term instability and increased costs for restoring order in the future.

The Guardian

Joe Phillips, a country director at Amideast, emphasized that as donor funding decreases, the impact of future shocks—such as adverse weather or economic downturns—will be more severe for the Rohingya.

The Guardian

Advocates for the Rohingya, including Ajas Khan, who has established the Rohingya Green Nature Society, argue that restoring the LPG program is a straightforward solution that could significantly improve living conditions. While alternative energy solutions like biogas and electricity have been proposed, they face challenges in implementation due to limited infrastructure and high costs. In contrast, LPG distribution has proven to be a practical and less polluting option compared to the burning of waste and debris.

The Guardian

Ajas Khan stated, “The financial importance of investing in the Rohingya people goes much further than how much money it saves at the moment.” He called for the international community to reaffirm its commitment to supporting the Rohingya, emphasizing that restoring LPG distribution is crucial for both humanitarian and environmental reasons.

The Guardian

The future of the Rohingya refugee camps hinges on the restoration of funding for LPG and other essential services. Continued advocacy and support from the international community will be vital to ensure that the basic needs of the Rohingya are met and that they can rebuild their lives with dignity.

The Guardian