by Hafizur Rahman
Cox’s Bazar | July 17, 2026
Representatives from the United Kingdom and Saudi Arabia jointly visited the Rohingya refugee camps in Cox’s Bazar for the first time, reaffirming their support for Rohingya refugees and the local host communities.
The delegation included officials from the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center (KSrelief) and the British High Commission in Dhaka. During the visit, they met with humanitarian organizations and community members and observed projects focused on food assistance, clean water, sanitation, and hygiene services.
The UK and Saudi Arabia are jointly providing US$7.8 million in humanitarian funding. The support was first announced during the UK–Saudi Arabia Strategic Aid Dialogue in December 2025 and is being delivered through the World Food Programme (WFP), the International Organization for Migration (IOM), and the Bangladeshi organization Integrated Social Development Effort (ISDE).
The delegation reviewed how the projects are supporting Rohingya refugees and host communities by improving access to essential services, strengthening living conditions, and enhancing community resilience.
Ahmed bin Ali Al-Baiz, an official from KSrelief, said the partnership with the UK is helping deliver life-saving assistance to vulnerable people while reinforcing the two countries’ shared commitment to humanitarian action.
British High Commissioner Sarah Cooke said the UK is proud to work alongside KSrelief in supporting Rohingya refugees, host communities, and other vulnerable populations. She added that the joint visit reflects the growing humanitarian partnership between the two countries and their shared commitment to assisting people in need.
