Khwaja Masum Bellah Kausarey: The Rohingya crisis is no longer a bilateral issue between Bangladesh and Myanmar. It has grown into a complex international humanitarian and security concern with far-reaching regional implications. Since the violent military crackdown in Myanmar’s Rakhine State in 2017, nearly 1.2 million Rohingya refugees have taken shelter in Bangladesh. Despite countless international promises and diplomatic gestures, a sustainable resolution remains elusive. Against this backdrop, the recent meeting in Tokyo between Bangladesh’s Chief Adviser, Professor Muhammad Yunus, and the Chairman of The Nippon Foundation, Yohei Sasakawa, has sparked new hope for renewed diplomatic engagement and practical solutions.
Yohei Sasakawa is not just a philanthropist or the head of a prominent Japanese organization; he is a recognized peace envoy with unparalleled experience in conflict mediation, particularly in Myanmar. As Chairman of both The Nippon Foundation and the Sasakawa Peace Foundation, Sasakawa has visited Myanmar more than 150 times over the years, mediating ceasefires and delivering humanitarian aid in some of the country’s most volatile areas. He holds a rare position of trust and respect from both the Myanmar government and over 100 ethnic groups, a feat few international figures have managed to achieve.
In this light, Professor Yunus’s diplomatic engagement with Sasakawa marks a crucial shift in Bangladesh’s approach to resolving the protracted Rohingya crisis. By seeking support from an influential personality who is accepted by all parties in Myanmar, Yunus has opened a new door for what can be termed Track II diplomacy, where trusted non-governmental actors play a central role in mediation and peacebuilding.
In his meeting with Sasakawa, Professor Yunus painted a grim picture of the growing crisis. “Every year, nearly 35,000 babies are born in Rohingya camps in Bangladesh,” he said. “They are growing up without hope.” These camps, which were designed to be temporary, are fast turning into permanent settlements with their own social structures, frustrations, and insecurities. Total Rohingya refugees: More than approximately 1,055,000. Cox’s Bazar: Around 942,944 Rohingyas are residing in 33 camps, primarily in Ukhiya and Teknaf. Bhasan Char: Around 35,059 Rohingyas have been relocated to this island in Noakhali. New arrivals: From the end of 2023 to December 2024, approximately 65,000 Rohingyas have entered Bangladesh. Birth rate: On average, 90 to 100 children are born daily in the camps, playing a significant role in population growth. Child population ratio: 52% of the total Rohingya population are under the age of 18. Malnutrition: As of February 2025, the number of children suffering from severe acute malnutrition has increased by 27% compared to the same period last year. Currently, 15.1% of children in the camps are suffering from malnutrition, which is above the emergency threshold. Food rations: Due to funding shortages, the World Food Programme (WFP) of the United Nations is facing the threat of reducing food rations for Rohingyas from $12.50 to $6. To tackle this crisis, $15 million is needed by April 2025. U.S. Assistance: In March 2025, the United States announced $73 million in new financial assistance to help sustain food support for the Rohingyas.
What is most alarming is Yunus’s warning that the situation could soon become “explosive and dangerous.” Without proper education, employment, and identity, the new generation of stateless Rohingya youth faces a bleak future. This population is highly vulnerable to radicalization, human trafficking, and involvement in the illicit drug trade, which is already exacerbating security issues in the camps and beyond. Yunus’s call to Sasakawa to act before the situation spirals out of control is not only timely—it is urgent.
Another crucial issue raised by Professor Yunus during the meeting was the recent suspension of USAID funding, which has adversely impacted the operations of the International Centre for Diarrhoeal Disease Research, Bangladesh (ICDDR’B). Renowned globally for life-saving health research and innovations, this institution is now struggling to maintain its services.
The Rohingya crisis, coupled with funding cuts, has left Bangladesh’s healthcare system burdened and fragile. By appealing for the Nippon Foundation’s support in sustaining the critical work of ICDDR’B, Yunus has brought international attention to the cascading effects of donor fatigue in the humanitarian sector. In a time when global focus is shifting due to emerging crises elsewhere, continued support for frontline institutions is more critical than ever.
The importance of Sasakawa’s involvement cannot be overstated. Unlike many international diplomats and organizations that face resistance or limited access in Myanmar, Sasakawa enjoys trust across ethnic lines and within the country’s ruling structures. His decades-long relationship-building, particularly with ethnic armed organizations, puts him in a unique position to mediate not just on peace matters but also on the issue of repatriation and rights of the Rohingya.
Yunus’s appeal to Sasakawa—“We know you are deeply admired by all sides in Myanmar”—reflects a strategic diplomatic calculation. If Sasakawa can leverage his influence to initiate a credible dialogue on the safe, voluntary, and dignified repatriation of the Rohingya, it could break the deadlock that international agencies have failed to resolve for years. Moreover, Sasakawa’s proven ability to mediate informal ceasefires and build trust in politically sensitive environments means his efforts could gradually lay the foundation for a broader, inclusive solution to Myanmar’s ethnic and humanitarian crises.
This meeting also highlights an evolving strategy in Bangladesh’s foreign policy. Traditionally reliant on multilateral platforms like the United Nations, the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), or bilateral diplomacy, Bangladesh now seems to be turning toward personality-driven diplomacy.
Professor Yunus, as a Nobel Peace Laureate with global credibility, brings more than symbolic value to this approach. His personal network and humanitarian focus can mobilize both moral and material support in places where traditional diplomacy has hit walls. His role as Chief Adviser in such a context is more than ceremonial—it is strategic. Inviting Sasakawa to visit Bangladesh is another calculated move to continue the dialogue and deepen engagement. A first-hand understanding of the humanitarian crisis could encourage the Nippon Foundation to take on a larger role—not just in advocacy, but also in supporting long-term rehabilitation and reintegration plans.
One of the most striking elements of the meeting was Yunus’s call for global cooperation. The Rohingya crisis is not Bangladesh’s alone. It is a test for international human rights, justice, and regional peace. The world cannot afford to look away while an entire generation grows up in limbo, without identity, education, or hope.
Yunus’s statement—“We need to end the Rohingya crisis. This is a good moment. We can work together.”—is a reminder that the window for meaningful intervention is narrowing. It is also a call to the international community, including Japan and other influential stakeholders, to join hands in seeking a sustainable and humane resolution. The meeting between Professor Muhammad Yunus and Yohei Sasakawa was not merely ceremonial—it was deeply symbolic and strategically significant. At a time when donor interest is declining, and diplomatic inertia threatens to prolong the crisis indefinitely, this engagement signals a shift toward more pragmatic, people-centered diplomacy.
By appealing directly to a trusted intermediary like Sasakawa, Bangladesh is wisely exploring alternative routes to peace and justice. If this initiative gains traction, it could inspire similar diplomacy elsewhere—where traditional channels have failed, and new thinking is urgently required. The future of 1.2 million Rohingya refugees and the security of an entire region may well depend on whether such bold, unconventional engagements can be transformed into actionable policies. The world must not wait for another explosion of violence to take notice. The time to act is now.
Author: The Executive Director of a Nongovernment Research & Development Organization, Journalist, and Human Rights Activist in Bangladesh.
