Canada has announced a contribution of CAD 10 million, approximately Tk 88.71 crore, to sustain the supply of clean cooking fuel for Rohingya refugees living in camps across Cox’s Bazar. The funding was confirmed in a press release issued on Saturday by the United Nations refugee agency.
The financial support will be channeled through the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees and the International Organization for Migration to provide liquefied petroleum gas to around 243,500 households. The initiative is intended to meet daily cooking needs while improving safety, health, and living conditions, particularly for women and children.
Canada’s High Commissioner to Bangladesh, Ajit Singh, described the country as a consistent partner in the Rohingya humanitarian response. He said the funding would help reduce environmental damage and carbon emissions in Cox’s Bazar, while also lowering the risks faced by refugees who would otherwise collect firewood.
Cox’s Bazar remains highly vulnerable to natural disasters, including floods, landslides, and cyclones, alongside ongoing environmental degradation. According to the release, the introduction of liquefied petroleum gas has already reduced firewood use among refugee households by 80 percent, preventing an estimated 407,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions each year.
Juliette Murekeyisoni, Deputy Representative of the United Nations refugee agency, said the contribution comes at a critical moment as refugees continue to face prolonged displacement and climate-related challenges. Giuseppe Loprete, acting Chief of Mission of the International Organization for Migration, noted that the funding would help reduce the need for hazardous firewood collection while protecting forest resources and biodiversity.
The initiative is also expected to support the conservation of approximately 10,700 hectares of protected forest areas in Cox’s Bazar.
The funding aims to ensure continued access to safer and more sustainable cooking solutions for nearly 1.2 million Rohingya refugees living in the district.
