By Hafizur Rahman
September 22, 2025: The World Bank has approved two new projects worth a total of $700 million to support Rohingya refugees and host communities in Bangladesh, aiming to strengthen essential services and long-term resilience at a time when humanitarian funding continues to shrink.
Each of the two initiatives, the Host and Rohingya Enhancement of Lives Project (HELP) and the Inclusive Services and Opportunities Project (ISO), will receive $350 million in funding, with both set to run until June 2028.
Multi-Sectoral Approach
“We want to see a multi-sectoral, comprehensive approach that improves the situation on the ground for both Rohingya and host communities,” said Jean Pesme, the World Bank’s Country Director for Bangladesh. “Until conditions for safe, dignified, and voluntary return are met, our focus remains on supporting both groups.”
HELP: Building Resilience
The HELP project will prioritize climate-resilient infrastructure, safe water and sanitation systems, renewable energy, and disaster preparedness. Officials estimate the project will directly benefit around 645,000 people living in and around the refugee settlements.
ISO: Expanding Services
The ISO project will focus on expanding access to healthcare, education, and social protection. It also includes provisions for survivors of gender-based violence and aims to create millions of workdays while providing education to hundreds of thousands of learners in camp and host areas.
Long-Term Commitment
With this new package, the World Bank’s total support for Bangladesh’s Rohingya response has now surpassed $1.3 billion since 2019. All funding for Rohingya-related programs is provided in the form of grants, rather than loans.
The announcement comes at a critical time when international humanitarian assistance is shrinking, creating growing risks of food insecurity, trafficking, and insecurity in the camps. Development-focused investments are seen as crucial to bridging the gap between short-term relief and long-term sustainability.
