Japan and UNDP Open Expanded Waste Facility to Support Rohingya Camps

Cox’s Bazar | December 10, 2025

Japan and the United Nations Development Programme, working with the Refugee Relief and Repatriation Commissioner, have opened an expanded sanitary landfill in Camp 20 Extension in Ukhiya. The facility aims to improve waste management for Rohingya refugees and surrounding host communities at a time when overcrowding and shrinking resources are increasing environmental risks.

Takahashi Naoki, Charge d’Affaires of Japan in Bangladesh, said Japan will continue partnering with international agencies to strengthen sustainable solutions in the Rohingya response. He said the upgraded site should make daily life safer and cleaner for thousands of people living in the camps.

Japan has provided more than USD 240 million to support Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh since the crisis began in 2017, according to UNDP.

The expanded landfill can now hold an additional 60,000 cubic meters of non-recyclable waste. Officials say this capacity will allow safe waste management for the next seven to eight years. Nearly 140 tonnes of waste are generated every day across the 26 camps, putting pressure on existing systems.

Authorities say the new facility will help reduce pollution, prevent disease outbreaks, and create cleaner living conditions for refugees and nearby communities. It is part of a wider waste management system built by UNDP since 2019, with contributions from DPHE, BRAC, and ManTech.

Abu Saleh Mohammad Obaidullah, Additional RRRC, said effective waste management is essential to protect health in the densely populated camps. He thanked Japan and UNDP for their continued support.

UNDP Resident Representative Stefan Liller said managing more than 100 tonnes of waste daily is critical to protecting health, the environment, and the dignity of those living in the camps. He said the expansion reflects the impact of long-term cooperation.

The site in Ukhiya was selected to avoid environmental damage. The natural shape of the land allowed the construction to move forward without cutting trees, levelling hills, or relocating shelters.

Japan is also funding a USD 1.48 million solid waste project in Teknaf, which will include a new landfill, sorting centres, composting units, and waste-to-energy initiatives to support a circular economy.

Representatives from RRRC, DPHE, the WASH Sector, BRAC, ManTech, local authorities, and development partners attended the opening ceremony.

The expanded facility is seen as an important step toward a safer and more resilient environment for Rohingya refugees and nearby communities in Cox’s Bazar.