Calls for Regional Collaboration and Solutions
A group of Australian advocates at Cox's Bazar, the world's largest refugee camp, have demanded urgent action to address the growing crisis of displaced people, as highlighted by the forthcoming UNHCR Global Trends report.
Representatives from Settlement Services International (SSI) and Amnesty International Australia, in partnership with the Asia Pacific Refugee Rights Network (APRRN), are calling for regional collaboration and refugee-led solutions across the Asia-Pacific to tackle the challenges faced by displaced communities.
The UNHCR report is expected to highlight shrinking resettlement pathways, funding cuts, and growing political resistance to refugee protection, creating a region under immense strain.
In Cox's Bazar, conditions for the Rohingya refugees, one of the world's most protracted displaced populations, are worsening, with over 150,000 new arrivals since early 2024 adding to the camp's population of more than 1.2 million residents.
SSI CEO Violet Roumeliotis emphasised the need for Australia's regional leadership, stating, "At a time when displacement is reaching record levels and international support is under pressure, countries like Australia have an opportunity to step up with regional actors and help shape a more coordinated and compassionate regional response."
Refugee-Led Solutions and Community Efforts
Hafsar Tameesuddin, Co-Secretary General of APRRN and a Rohingya refugee, noted that displaced communities are not waiting for international solutions but are actively organising and advocating for themselves. She stated, "I have long believed…that refugee-led organisations are among the most needs-based, practical, and community-centred actors in humanitarian response."
Amnesty International Australia's Zaki Hairari described the conditions in Cox's Bazar as confronting, noting the resilience of the Rohingya people. He urged increased international support, stating, "The Rohingya people cannot remain trapped in refugee camps forever. The international community must increase humanitarian support, expand resettlement pathways, and invest in education and livelihoods."
