By Tawfiq Al-Mohsin
Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh | June 2026
An internal United Nations audit has uncovered serious problems in several Rohingya refugee assistance projects managed by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) in Bangladesh. The audit found cases of mismanagement, waste of funds, weak planning, and poor oversight in projects carried out between January 2023 and December 2024.
According to the audit conducted by the UN Office of Internal Oversight Services (OIOS), several projects were not properly planned or aligned with UNHCR’s main objectives. As a result, resources were wasted, some projects duplicated work already done by others, and large amounts of money were spent on facilities and services that were never used.
The report found that several health facilities and expensive medical equipment remained unused. These included a specialized hospital in Ukhiya built at a cost of $1.5 million and a 20-bed inpatient facility in Bhasan Char equipped with solar systems and medical equipment worth more than $200,000.
The audit also highlighted weaknesses in healthcare services for refugees. It said that the lack of disease prevention programs contributed to increases in respiratory infections and Hepatitis C cases in 2024. The report noted that there were no adequate epidemic preparedness plans, making it difficult to respond quickly to outbreaks such as acute watery diarrhea, cholera, scabies, and head lice.
Problems were also found in the management of medicines and medical supplies. One vendor was reported to have supplied medical needles after changing their expiry dates. The same company later received a contract worth $1.82 million, despite previously being blacklisted. The audit also found that a more expensive supplier was chosen over a cheaper option, resulting in financial losses.
UNHCR spent millions of dollars on nutrition, health referral, medicine, energy, and infrastructure projects. However, auditors found weak beneficiary selection, outdated guidelines, poor monitoring systems, and unnecessary spending. The report stated that a health information system costing over $165,000 has remained non-operational since 2018.
The audit further revealed duplication in infrastructure projects. In some areas, multiple organizations constructed water networks, pumping stations, and tube wells in the same locations. Energy projects in Bhasan Char also duplicated work already completed by the government.
Questions were also raised about procurement practices. The report found that some contractors and suppliers received contracts despite offering higher prices than competitors. One construction contractor handled projects worth $25 million with rates reportedly 26 percent above market prices, leading to potential losses of around $6.5 million.
The audit identified additional spending concerns, including payments for honor boards, staff uniforms, documentaries, unused warehouses, and office buildings. A newly constructed office in Cox’s Bazar remained unused for five months, while UNHCR continued paying rent for its previous office.
Transportation and fuel management were also criticized. Auditors found that several vehicles remained unused while rental fees continued to be paid. LPG purchases exceeded actual needs by millions of dollars, and delays in adopting fuel-saving cooking methods resulted in missed opportunities to reduce costs.
The report said that despite eight years of the Rohingya crisis, most funding continued to be spent on emergency relief, while much smaller amounts were directed toward long-term solutions and self-reliance programs.
Responding to the findings, UNHCR spokesperson Shari Nijman said the agency remains committed to transparency and accountability. She stated that audits are important for improving operations and that steps are already being taken to address the recommendations and strengthen oversight, efficiency, and program implementation.
Bangladesh currently hosts more than 1.3 million Rohingya refugees, most of whom fled violence and persecution in Myanmar’s Rakhine State, including nearly 750,000 people who arrived following the military crackdown in 2017.
