Japan and UNDP inaugurate expanded landfill in Rohingya camps
- Arakan Now
- Dec 9, 2025
- 2 min read
Arakan Now | Dec 8, 2025
The Refugee Relief and Repatriation Commissioner (RRRC), in partnership with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Embassy of Japan, inaugurated an expanded sanitary landfill facility at Camp 20 Extension in Ukhiya, Cox’s Bazar, on Sunday, December 7.
The expansion marks a significant milestone in strengthening safe, sustainable and system-based solid waste management for both Rohingya refugees and surrounding host communities.
The upgraded facility is designed to handle an additional 60,000 cubic metres of non-recyclable waste, ensuring uninterrupted waste disposal for the next seven to eight years. This is expected to help prevent environmental contamination, reduce public health risks and improve living conditions across 26 camps, where nearly 140 tonnes of waste are generated daily.
The landfill serves as the backbone of a wider waste management system developed by UNDP since 2019. With support from government entities, the WASH Sector and partners—including the Department of Public Health Engineering (DPHE), BRAC as implementing partner and ManTech as construction partner—the expansion strengthens a comprehensive system that includes segregated waste collection, leachate treatment and hygiene campaigns, benefitting more than 900,000 people.
Speaking as chief guest, Additional Refugee Relief and Repatriation Commissioner Abu Saleh Mohammad Obaidullah said proper waste management is essential to prevent disease outbreaks and ensure safer living conditions.
“This expanded landfill will greatly benefit both Rohingya refugees and local host communities. We appreciate Japan and UNDP for their continued cooperation and hope this support will further strengthen public health protection in the camps,” he said.
Japan’s Charge d’Affaires ad interim to Bangladesh, Takahashi Naoki, said he hoped the comprehensive solid waste management facility would improve the lives of both refugees and host communities.
“Working closely with international partners such as UNDP, Japan remains committed to contributing towards a sustainable solution to the Rohingya response,” he said.
UNDP Bangladesh Resident Representative Stefan Liller said managing more than 100 tonnes of waste every day in the camps is not only about disposal, but also about safeguarding health, protecting the environment and preserving dignity.
“This expanded facility helps ensure that communities here can live in cleaner, safer conditions today, while building a system that remains resilient for the years ahead,” he said, adding that the initiative demonstrates what sustained collaboration between humanitarian and development partners can deliver.
The expansion site was selected in Ukhiya to minimise environmental impact. Located next to the existing facility, the naturally contoured land required no tree removal, hill cutting or shelter relocation.
As part of a complementary US$1.48 million Sustainable Solid Waste Management Project in the Rohingya camps, Japan is also providing support in Teknaf, including the introduction of a new sanitary landfill, sorting facilities, composting units, waste-to-energy options and community awareness initiatives aimed at promoting circular economy practices.
Japan, a longstanding global partner and one of UNDP’s largest core contributors, has continued to support critical initiatives such as solid waste management in Cox’s Bazar.
Senior representatives from RRRC, DPHE, the WASH Sector, BRAC, ManTech, local government bodies and development partners attended the inauguration.
Since the beginning of the Rohingya emergency in August 2017, Japan has supported the response in Bangladesh with contributions exceeding US$240 million.
