Australia has announced an additional AUD 25.25 million in humanitarian assistance through UNHCR to support life-saving aid and protection services for Rohingya refugees and host communities in Bangladesh.
An agreement to this effect was signed this morning at the State Guest House Padma by Australian High Commissioner Susan Ryle and UNHCR Acting Country Representative Juliette Murekeyisoni. Foreign Minister Dr. Khalilur Rahman and Australia’s Assistant Minister for Citizenship, Customs and Multicultural Affairs and Assistant Minister for International Education Hon. Julian Hill MP witnessed the signing ceremony.
The contribution is part of Australia’s new three-year AUD 370 million humanitarian assistance package to address the ongoing crises in Myanmar and Bangladesh. Since the beginning of the Rohingya refugee crisis in 2017, Australia has committed over AUD 1.26 billion in humanitarian assistance to the response.
Prior to the signing ceremony, Foreign Minister Dr. Khalilur Rahman held a bilateral meeting with Assistant Minister Julian Hill. During the meeting, the Australian Minister commended the growing Bangladeshi community in Australia for its valuable contributions to the country’s economy and multicultural society. Foreign Minister Dr. Khalilur Rahman highlighted the importance of expanding regular migration opportunities for Bangladeshi nationals to Australia. He sought Australia’s continued cooperation in combating irregular migration and human trafficking. The two Ministers also underscored the importance of strengthening collaboration between Australian and Bangladeshi universities through joint academic programmes and institutional partnerships.
Earlier in the day, Assistant Minister Hill met State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaed Islam. Their discussions covered cooperation in regular and irregular migration, skills development, higher education, energy, and women’s empowerment. The State Minister sought more opportunities for Bangladeshi students to pursue higher education in Australia.
Assistant Minister Hill is on a two-day official visit to Bangladesh. During the visit, he also met Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed, Education Minister A. N. M. Ehsanul Hoque Milon, and Education Adviser Mahdi Amin.
