Tahsan Khan, Bangladeshi singer, song-writer, actor and TV host, today (22 April) renewed his engagement as a goodwill ambassador for UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency.
“It has been nine years since the Rohingya fled Myanmar and sought shelter and safety here in Bangladesh. Without a sustainable solution in sight, it is essential to continue advocating for continued compassion with their plights is far from being done,” said Tahsan.
He met families who have endured unimaginable loss and hardship. “Their strength inspires me, and I want to use my voice to amplify their stories.”
Tahsan, UNHCR’s first Goodwill Ambassador in Bangladesh, was first appointed in 2021.
Tahsan is one of 36 Goodwill Ambassadors for UNHCR, a dedicated group of prominent supporters playing a critical role in advancing UNHCR’s mandate by mobilizing public support and drawing attention to the needs and rights of people forced to flee, UNHCR officials told UNB.
The extension of Tahsan’s appointment reflects UNHCR’s appreciation for his continued commitment and its shared resolve to ensure that refugees are not forgotten.
He has since supported UNHCR’s advocacy and public engagement, helping raise awareness and inspire positive change in support of the plight, resilience, and rights of refugees.
“Tahsan has been a dedicated advocate for refugees over the years. His engagement reflects the empathy and a deep sense of responsibility we all need in such time,” said Ivo Freijsen, UNHCR representative in Bangladesh.
“We are proud to extend his appointment and look forward to continuing our collaboration to promote protection and hope for refugees. In a country that generously hosts over one million refugees, such a voice counts.”
Over the years, Tahsan actively supported UNHCR’s work with Rohingya refugees in Cox’s Bazar, including visits to refugee camps, engagement with refugee communities, and participation in global advocacy moments such as World Refugee Day.
In 2025, Tahsan visited the site of a recent fire that destroyed part of the camp, seeing firsthand the devastation fire can bring to the camps, impacting thousands of lives.
He called the fire a tragic reminder of the hardship that Rohingya refugees continue to face.
“The refugees I met told me of their wish to return home, voluntarily, when it is safe for them to do so,” Tahsan said during his visit.
“Until that is possible, we must continue to stand by them, providing them with support, protection and life-saving services, supporting their resilience and keeping hope alive”.
He expressed his sincere gratitude to the UNHCR team for their tireless efforts in alleviating the refugee crisis, especially given the significant risks associated with their work.
Bangladesh currently hosts nearly 1.2 million Rohingya refugees, the vast majority living in 33 densely populated camps in Cox’s Bazar district, one of the largest settlements in the world.
Many Rohingya refugees have now lived in the camps for almost nine years, with restricted access to formal education, livelihoods, and long-term opportunities.
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