Interim Government Chief Yunus Requests More Funding While Blocking Humanitarian Aid to Arakan

News Analysis

Global Arakan Network September 28, 2025

Chief Advisor Addressing Speech at the UNGA(photocrd)

At the 80th Session of the UN General Assembly on September 26, 2025, Dr. Muhammad Yunus, Chief Adviser of the Government of Bangladesh, addressed the general situation in Bangladesh.

In his speech, the Chief adviser appealed for increased humanitarian funding from the international community, stating:

"Our collective goal of maintaining a minimum standard of living in the camps faces a potential collapse due to a funding shortfall. The World Food Programme has warned of a critical funding shortage for its emergency response. Without urgent new funding, monthly rations may be reduced to a mere US$6 per person, exacerbating hunger and malnutrition among the Rohingya and forcing them to resort to desperate measures."

However, along the border with Arakan (Rakhine State), his government has blocked the delivery of humanitarian assistance and life-saving materials by the United Nations and other international non-governmental organizations since early 2025. As a result of this policy, local populations in the northern townships of Buthidaung and Maungdaw are facing severe food shortages and livelihood challenges. Critically, local Muslims, grappling with a survival crisis, are compelled to flee to Bangladesh in search of better living conditions.

Beyond restricting aid, the government of Dr. Muhammad Yunus has also halted trade beneficial to communities on both sides of the border while reportedly increasing support for militant activities by groups such as the Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army (ARSA) and the Rohingya Solidarity Organisation (RSO).

In a statement issued yesterday, the Arakan Army urged Bangladesh and the international community to take action against security officials supporting these militant activities along the border and highlighted the issue.