Establishing a Humanitarian Corridor in Rakhine: Strategic Imperative, Military Necessity, and Economic Opportunity for Bangladesh

Reading Time: 6 minutes This strategic policy study asserts that the establishment of a sustainable humanitarian corridor within Myanmar’s Rakhine State is an imperative that Bangladesh can no longer delay or address solely through diplomatic engagement. Given the collapse of effective governance in the region, the failure of both Myanmar’s central authorities and the Arakan Army (AA) to facilitate repatriation or protect civilian populations, and the prolonged refugee crisis in Bangladesh, it is evident that military enforcement is the only viable option to achieve humanitarian access. The continued presence of over 1.2 million Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh constitutes not only a humanitarian burden but a significant economic, environmental, and national security threat to the state. This report outlines the rationale, legal framework, operational architecture, international support strategy, and long-term commercial benefits associated with the establishment of a military-secured humanitarian corridor. It also analyses the economic and political costs of both