Photo: Embassy of Sweden in Dhaka

DHAKA, Dec 3, 2025 (BSS) - Sweden-funded Ukrainian sunflower oil arrived in 
Cox's Bazar under the Grain from Ukraine initiative, ensuring three months of 
cooking oil support for nearly one million Rohingyas.

Swedish Ambassador to Bangladesh Nicolas Weeks, Ukrainian Ambassador to India 
Oleksandr Polishchuk and French Ambassador to Bangladesh Jean-Marc Séré-
Charlet attended a handover ceremony arranged by the UN World Food Programme 
(WFP) marking the arrival of 3,000 tonnes of sunflower oil in Cox's Bazar, 
said a press release here. 
 
The delivery was made possible through a USD 7 million contribution from 
Sweden, which covered procurement and transport of the Ukrainian oil to Cox's 
Bazar. 

France also supported the initiative, strengthening joint humanitarian 
commitments.

"This initiative is unique, it helps meet urgent food needs for Rohingya 
refugees in Cox's Bazar while supporting Ukrainian farmers and families 
enduring the immense impact of Russia's war of aggression. It is solidarity 
and collaboration in its most practical form," Ambassador Weeks said.

WFP will distribute the oil among Rohingya refugees, meeting cooking oil 
needs for three months. 

The initiative also supports Ukrainian farmers and the country's agricultural 
economy during wartime by integrating Ukrainian produce into global 
humanitarian supply chains.

The ceremony reflected broader cooperation among Ukraine, Sweden, France, 
Bangladesh and WFP, linking humanitarian relief with economic resilience in 
Ukraine.
 
Ambassador Weeks also announced an upcoming US 2.85 million dollars Swedish 
contribution to expand cleaner cooking energy, environmental rehabilitation, 
and green skills development under SAFE Plus 2, jointly implemented by FAO, 
IOM, UNHCR and WFP.
 
With the new disbursement, Sweden's total support to SAFE Plus reaches US 
23.85 million dollars, while its overall assistance to Rohingya refugees and 
host communities has exceeded US 146.55 million Dollars since 2017.