World Bank Launches $700 Million Projects for Rohingya and Host Communities in Bangladesh

Arakan Now | 21 September 2025

The World Bank has announced two new projects totaling $700 million aimed at improving services, disaster resilience, and human capital development for Rohingya refugees and host communities in Bangladesh.

The initiatives, named the Host and Rohingya Enhancement of Lives Project (HELP) and the Inclusive Services and Opportunities Project (ISO), each receive $350 million in funding and are scheduled to run until June 2028.

According to the World Bank, the projects build on previous interventions in Cox’s Bazar that have provided over $1 billion in financing since 2019. The launch event took place at the Pan Pacific Sonargaon Dhaka, with Md Mostafizur Rahman, secretary of the Ministry of Disaster Management and Relief, and Jean Pesme, country director of the World Bank in Bangladesh, in attendance.

The World Bank stated that all assistance to the Rohingya will take the form of grants and that the programs are designed to address urgent humanitarian needs while supporting long-term resilience in the region.

HELP will focus on water and sanitation, climate-resilient infrastructure, renewable energy, and disaster preparedness. The project aims to serve 645,000 people, including 329,000 women, through improved services, upgraded roads and shelters, solar power systems, afforestation efforts, and disaster response training for over 100,000 individuals.

ISO aims to expand access to health, education, social protection, and gender-based violence services. The project has already engaged nearly 20,000 host community members in short-term work and, in partnership with the World Food Programme, has created community work opportunities for roughly 500,000 Rohingya. 

By 2028, the World Bank projects ISO will generate 22.4 million workdays, support 300,000 learners, deliver health services to 560,000 people, and provide psychosocial and case management services for women.

Experts and local advocates have not yet publicly commented on the new projects, leaving questions about how the initiatives will be implemented on the ground and how effectively they will meet the needs of both refugee and host communities.