Relief for Rakhine needs go-ahead from Bangladesh and Myanmar, says UN

The United Nations has said it would require the approval of both Bangladesh and Myanmar to facilitate humanitarian aid into Rakhine if the global body were to be involved in creating a channel for assistance.

In a statement on Wednesday, a spokesperson for the UN Resident Coordinator’s Office in Dhaka said: “The UN has a legal obligation to obtain permission from the concerned governments to deliver cross-border assistance.

“Without this, the UN's direct involvement is limited.”

The response comes amid debate over Bangladesh potentially serving as a “humanitarian corridor” to send aid into Myanmar’s conflict-ridden Rakhine State.

The statement added that the UN in Bangladesh continues to be concerned over the worsening situation in Rakhine and remains engaged in efforts to assist Rohingya refugees currently hosted in Bangladesh.

“The United Nations with our humanitarian partners will continue to work to mobilise the international community's support to Bangladesh as a host to the Rohingya refugees,” it reads.

Talks on such a channel first emerged after UN Secretary-General António Guterres visited Dhaka earlier this year.

On Apr 8, Khalilur Rahman, the chief advisor’s top aid, publicly mentioned the concept of a “humanitarian channel” for the first time.

He said discussions about Bangladesh’s potential involvement in such a mechanism began during a Feb 7 meeting with Guterres in New York.

According to him, preliminary consultations had taken place with the Arakan Army, international organisations, and the Myanmar government.

“We told him [Guterres] that there is no alternative to international assistance to address the humanitarian crisis in Rakhine. That operation must take place under UN supervision,” Khalilur said.

Highlighting Bangladesh’s strategic position, he said: “Bangladesh is the only viable channel through which aid can be delivered.

“Other routes are inaccessible, as coastal Rakhine remains under Tatmadaw control.”

Explaining the terminology, the aide said legal considerations meant the term “channel” was used instead of “corridor”.

About three weeks later, Foreign Advisor Touhid confirmed that the interim government had made a policy decision in principle to allow a “humanitarian passage”.

Speaking at the foreign ministry, he said: “I can confirm that, in principle, we agree to it. Because a humanitarian passage will be provided.”

“But we do have certain conditions. I won’t go into those details, but if those conditions are met, we will certainly cooperate—under UN supervision.”

His remarks have sparked political debate, with parties opposing the interim government's unilateral decision without consultation.

BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir warned that the government’s “policy decision” to allow a humanitarian corridor “could threaten Bangladesh’s sovereignty”.

Amid growing criticism, Chief Advisor’s Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam said on Tuesday the government has held no talks with the UN or any other organisation on a “humanitarian passage” or “corridor”.

In a Facebook post, he wrote: “If the UN takes the initiative to deliver humanitarian aid to Rakhine, Bangladesh will be ready to provide logical and structural support.”

Against this backdrop, the UN office in Dhaka issued Wednesday’s statement outlining its legal obligations and limited role in such operations without bilateral approvals.