Australia's funding to Myanmar and Bangladesh provides live-saving assistance to people in need including Rohingya, host, and cyclone affected communities in Bangladesh; Rohingyas in Rakhine State; and conflict and disaster affected communities across Myanmar.

Our support includes food, water and shelter as well as essential protection, education and health services for those most in need, including women, girls and people with disabilities. Our support is consistent, flexible and committed across multiple years, enabling our partners to respond effectively and efficiently.

Australia has committed $1.26 billion in humanitarian assistance to Myanmar and Bangladesh since 2017, including a new 3–year program up to $370 million starting in 2026. This additional support recognises the deteriorating situation in Myanmar and its implications for the potential return of Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh. This humanitarian support is in addition to our ongoing development assistance in both countries.

Myanmar

Since the military coup in February 2021, humanitarian need in Myanmar has surged from one million to around 20 million people. More than 3.5 million people are internally displaced. The conflict continues the tragedy of civilian displacement and human rights abuses.

Between 2017 and 2025, Australia committed $339. million in humanitarian assistance to support people across Myanmar.

Bangladesh

Following violence in Myanmar's Rakhine State in August 2017, approximately 700,000 Rohingya people fled across the border to Bangladesh's Cox's Bazar, joining an existing Rohingya population.

Today, over one million refugees live in 33 congested camps and remain dependent on humanitarian support with no legal status or right to work. Australia commends Bangladesh's ongoing support to the current population of more than one million Rohingyas.

Between 2017 and 2025, Australia has committed $551 million to support Rohingya, host and cyclone affected communities in Bangladesh.

Australia's partners

Australia's humanitarian assistance is delivered through the United Nations partners, the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement and non-government organisations.

All partners have proven capacity to deliver neutral and independent humanitarian assistance and reach those most in need. They are carefully chosen to ensure that Australia's assistance does not directly benefit or legitimise the military regime in Myanmar.

On average, our humanitarian partners have reached approximately one million people in need in Bangladesh and 600,000 in Myanmar annually since 2020.