Border News Agency
Bangladesh, 5 May 2025
The recent decision by Bangladesh to approve a humanitarian corridor into Myanmar’s conflict-hit Rakhine State has sparked growing concerns among both Rohingya refugees and local communities in Cox’s Bazar.
The corridor, approved amid warnings of a potential famine in Rakhine following intense fighting between Myanmar’s military junta and the Arakan Army (AA), is intended to allow cross-border humanitarian aid. However, the move has raised fears over its implications for national security, sovereignty, and the Rohingya repatriation process.
Rohingya community leaders have expressed deep mistrust, pointing out that both the Myanmar military and the Arakan Army have histories of persecuting the Rohingya. They are calling on the Bangladeshi government and the international community to push for the establishment of a United Nations-mandated “safe zone” inside Rakhine State as a condition for repatriation and aid delivery.
“We want a guarantee of safety, not just an aid route. Without protection, this corridor may be used to strengthen those who forced us out,” one Rohingya leader said.
Local civil society members have also voiced apprehension. Abu Morshed Chowdhury Khoka, president of the Cox’s Bazar Civil Society, questioned the government’s sudden approval of the corridor without resolving the long-standing Rohingya crisis. “We support humanitarian aid, but not at the cost of our national interest. Smuggling, security breaches, and external influence must be considered,” he said.
ANM Helal Uddin, president of the Cox’s Bazar Citizens’ Forum, echoed similar concerns. “We welcome limited aid for the suffering population in Rakhine, but if it benefits armed groups or serves other hidden agendas, we strongly oppose it,” he stated.
The Bangladeshi government has said the decision was made in response to appeals from the United Nations and the international community, who fear widespread hunger and displacement in western Myanmar.
Despite this, the lack of clarity on how the corridor will function, who will receive the aid, and what security measures will be in place continues to fuel anxiety among stakeholders.
As the situation in Myanmar deteriorates, calls are growing louder for a transparent, internationally monitored aid operation, one that addresses both humanitarian needs and the long-term future of displaced Rohingyas.
