This discussion paper examines how humanitarian actors can strategically promote regional responses via global fora and regional institutions—namely the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and the Bali Process on People Smuggling, Trafficking in Persons and Related Transnational Crime (Bali Process)—and in new or under-developed initiatives. It draws on the expertise of humanitarian actors, advocates and researchers to distil lessons from past efforts to promote regional responses, and to suggest recommendations for actions that could be taken both within existing frameworks, and toward new policy initiatives. The objective is to provoke discussion and encourage coordination toward creating a ‘political moment’ or policy window for meaningful regional action in response to protracted Rohingya displacement.

This report has been produced under the Protecting Rohingya Refugees in Asia (PRRiA) project, a two-year ECHO-funded initiative launched in 2021 to address protection risks and needs of Rohingya refugees in Southeast Asia. Access research reports by the PRRiA project here:

Understanding the current and potential contribution of Rohingya refugees to the Malaysian economy

Impact of Prolonged Immigration Detention on Rohingya Families and Communities in Malaysia

Refugee protection, human smuggling, and trafficking in Bangladesh and Southeast Asia