UN Secretary-General António Guterres today said it is unacceptable that the international community forget about the Rohingya refugees who have taken shelter in Bangladesh fleeing Myanmar.

"My voice will be loud and clear in urging the international community to provide urgent support because these people desperately need it to live with dignity here in Bangladesh," Guterres said while addressing the media at Camp-18 in Ukhiya, Cox's Bazar.

During his visit to the camps, he said he heard two key messages. The first was that the Rohingya people wanted to return to Myanmar.

"It is essential for the international community to do everything possible to ensure that peace is restored in Myanmar, that the rights of the Rohingya are respected, and that the discrimination and persecution they have suffered come to an end," Guterres said.

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Rohingyas hit by US fund cuts

The second message, he noted, was that the Rohingya need better living conditions in the camps. "Unfortunately, the recent drastic cuts in humanitarian aid announced by the United States and several European countries have made this even more difficult," he said.

"As a result, we are now facing the need to reduce food rations in these camps," he added, vowing to do everything possible to prevent that from happening.

"I will be reaching out to all countries that can support us to ensure that sufficient funds are made available, so people do not suffer even more—or, in some cases, lose their lives," the UN secretary-general said.

He also noted that this visit was part of his annual Ramadan trip, this time in solidarity with the Rohingya refugees and the Bangladeshi people who have so generously hosted them.