Bangladesh: Stop Blockage of Humanitarian Aid to Arakan

Opinion

Global Arakan Network August 26, 2025

BGB Members on The Border (photocrd)

Bangladesh’s decision to block essential humanitarian aid to Arakan (Rakhine State, Myanmar) has sparked significant concern, marking a troubling shift from its once-praised humanitarian role.

Humanitarian Hero to Aid Blocker

For years, Bangladesh earned global admiration for hosting many Bengagya refugees fleeing persecution in Myanmar. Events like the Cox’s Bazar Conference celebrated Dhaka as a humanitarian beacon, with the international community lauding its compassion. However, recent actions tell a different story. For months, Bangladesh has blocked critical supplies—medicines, food, and other life-saving materials—from reaching Arakan, where conflict and poverty have left populations vulnerable. This blockade, enforced against efforts by the United Nations (UN) and international non-governmental organizations (INGOs), contradicts Bangladesh’s humanitarian legacy and raises questions about its motives.

The silence of the international community is striking. Once quick to praise Bangladesh, global actors have been slow to criticize this policy, risking complicity in the suffering it causes. The blockade directly contributes to the ongoing exodus of Muslims from Arakan into Bangladesh, as families flee starvation and lack of medical care. Official data is scarce, but reports from humanitarian agencies suggest that aid restrictions have worsened malnutrition and health crises in Arakan, driving migration pressures that strain Bangladesh’s resources further. For instance, the UN has noted increased refugee inflows, with many citing the absence of basic necessities as their reason for leaving.

By obstructing aid, Bangladesh undermines its moral standing and risks alienating international partners who have supported its refugee efforts. This policy not only harms Arakan’s civilians but also exacerbates the very migration crisis Dhaka seeks to manage, creating a cycle of instability that could have been avoided.

UN Humanitarian Supplies (photocrd)

The Need for International Pressure and Accountability

The blockade must be reversed, and Dhaka must address internal security issues without punishing Arakan’s civilians. Reports indicate that Bangladesh has, at times, allowed its territory to serve as a haven for Islamic militant groups, some of which exploit regional instability. This is a dangerous misstep. Rather than restricting aid, which disproportionately affects vulnerable populations, Bangladesh should focus on dismantling these networks. Doing so would enhance its security and demonstrate a commitment to regional stability, potentially improving relations with Arakan’s authorities.

The international community has a critical role to play. The UN, INGOs, and regional powers must pressure Dhaka to lift the blockade through diplomatic engagement or public condemnation.

Moreover, Bangladesh must avoid mirroring the restrictive tactics of Myanmar’s government in Naypyidaw, which has long faced criticism for obstructing aid to Rakhine. By aligning its actions with humanitarian principles, Dhaka can rebuild trust and strengthen its regional standing. The international community must break its silence, holding Bangladesh accountable just as it has held other actors accountable. Failure to do so risks normalizing aid blockades, setting a dangerous precedent for other nations facing similar pressures.

Humanitarian Access to Regional Cooperation

The blockade is also tied to broader regional dynamics, particularly disputes over illegal fishing and refugee issues in Naff River. Both Bangladesh and Arakan’s authorities have accused each other of violating maritime boundaries, with tensions escalating over fishing rights. Dhaka’s aid restrictions may be an attempt to pressure Arakan, but this approach is flawed. Starving Arakan’s population will not resolve maritime disputes and refugee issues; instead, it deepens mistrust and reduces the likelihood of cooperation. It is only harming Bangladesh's national interests because blocking humanitarian aid pushes more Muslims to flee into Bangladesh.

By lifting the blockade on humanitarian aid, Bangladesh could foster goodwill, creating a foundation for dialogue. To address this, Bangladesh must act swiftly. First, it should lift the blockade, ensuring UN and INGO supplies reach Arakan.

Second, the international community must engage Dhaka diplomatically, emphasizing the humanitarian and geopolitical costs of its policy. Third, Bangladesh should focus on internal security, targeting militant groups like ARSA and RSO without harming civilians. Finally, Dhaka should pursue dialogue with Arakan’s authorities, using humanitarian cooperation as a starting point for resolving disputes like illegal fishing.