3 thsd tons of Ukrainian sunflower oil arrive to aid refugees in Bangladesh

On December 3, a handover ceremony took place in Cox’s Bazar for 3,000 tons of sunflower oil intended for humanitarian assistance to the Rohingya under the Grain from Ukraine initiative. The event was attended by representatives from the governments of Bangladesh, Sweden, and Ukraine, as well as the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP). The aid will support the Bangladeshi government’s humanitarian operations for the Rohingya with the assistance of WFP and partner organizations.

The Grain from Ukraine initiative, launched by the Government of Ukraine in 2022, aims to provide Ukrainian food commodities for international humanitarian crises. The sunflower oil for the Rohingya was produced in Ukraine, with procurement and transportation costs totaling USD 7 million covered by Sweden. The ceremony was held at WFP’s logistics hub in Modhurchara, Cox’s Bazar.

Participants highlighted the importance of cooperation and support for the Rohingya. Md. Mostafizur Rahman, Secretary of the Ministry of Disaster Management and Relief (MoDMR) of Bangladesh, emphasized that the aid will strengthen food security for the refugees and reflects a partnership grounded in humanity and shared responsibility.

Government and WFP representatives stressed that the handover is not only a humanitarian gesture but also an expression of friendship and solidarity. Delegates visited one of the food distribution points, where Rohingya families receive sunflower oil and other commodities through WFP’s e-voucher system, allowing them to choose items according to their needs.

Each family receives a monthly entitlement of USD 12 per person, which can be used to purchase staple foods as well as fresh vegetables, fish, and poultry, including products from local farmers that help support the host community’s economy.

Representatives from Ukraine, Sweden, and WFP called for continued international attention to the Rohingya crisis and sustained aid. The WFP operation for the Rohingya currently faces a USD 172 million funding gap, which could lead to disruptions in food supplies as early as April 2026. The Rohingya are a Muslim minority from Myanmar who fled persecution and violence to neighboring Bangladesh, particularly the Cox’s Bazar region, where they live in refugee camps and rely on humanitarian assistance, including food, water, and medical services.

Tags: Sweden, Ukraine, sunflower oil, Bangladesh