12/09/2025
Statement on LPG Shortages and Environmental Protection in the Rohingya Refugee Camps
The ongoing shortage of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) in the Rohingya refugee camps in Cox’s Bazar presents a critical humanitarian and environmental concern. LPG has been the primary source of clean cooking fuel for displaced families, reducing reliance on firewood and contributing to environmental conservation efforts in and around the camps. However, recent supply gaps have forced many households to revert to firewood collection, placing additional pressure on the already fragile forest ecosystems.
This shift threatens to reverse years of progress in environmental restoration and protection, leading to deforestation, soil erosion, biodiversity loss, and increased vulnerability to natural disasters such as flooding and landslides. The impact is not limited to the environment alone; it also heightens tensions between refugee and host communities over access to natural resources and undermines efforts to promote peaceful coexistence.
To address this urgent issue, it is imperative to ensure a reliable and equitable supply of LPG or to introduce sustainable alternative energy solutions. Strengthening investment in renewable energy, expanding awareness on environmental protection, and fostering collaboration between humanitarian actors, government agencies, and host communities are essential to safeguard both refugee well-being and the ecological balance of the region.
Environmental protection and energy access must remain central to the humanitarian response, as they are key to resilience, dignity, and sustainable development for both refugees and host communities in Cox’s Bazar.
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