Special Olympics Asia Pacific has announced a focused pledge to advance the inclusion of Rohingya refugees with intellectual disabilities (ID) in Bangladesh through inclusive sport programming, in partnership with UNHCR Bangladesh and Special Olympics Bangladesh.
The pledge introduces a pilot initiative delivering Unified sport sessions and coach training, aligned with Government of Bangladesh regulations. It directly responds to a critical gap in refugee inclusion: while the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) data records nearly 100,000 Rohingya refugees as persons with disabilities, individuals with intellectual disabilities remain largely invisible within existing systems. This lack of visibility limits access to essential services, including healthcare, education, and psychosocial support. The initiative positions sport as a practical entry point to help identify individuals with ID, foster inclusion, and build awareness within refugee communities.
“This pledge is about visibility, dignity, and opportunity. Through sport, we are not only creating inclusive spaces but also helping to identify and support a population that has too often remained unseen. It reflects our global commitment to ensure refugees with intellectual disabilities are recognized and included everywhere we work.”
Implemented in coordination with UNHCR Bangladesh and local stakeholders, the program aligns with the global Memorandum of Understanding between Special Olympics International and UNHCR and contributes to the broader “Sport for Inclusion and Protection” agenda under the Global Refugee Forum.
"Access to sport and play can be transformative for young refugees, opening doors to connection and social cohesion. For refugees with an intellectual disability, it is not only a pathway to protection, but also a powerful means of building confidence and a sense of belonging in environments where they are often most at risk of exclusion.”
The pledge also aims to generate evidence on how inclusive sport can support both identification and protection outcomes for refugees with disabilities. The learning from this pilot is expected to inform future programming and strengthen advocacy for more inclusive refugee data systems and services.
Dipak Natali, President and Managing Director of Special Olympics Asia Pacific, said, “Refugees with intellectual disabilities face compounded challenges. Not only are they displaced, but the social prejudice they face puts them at risk of further marginalization and isolation. Our partnership with UNHCR Bangladesh and Special Olympics Bangladesh uses sport to break down the barriers they face. By training community coaches and building inclusive programs, we are laying the foundation for an environment where refugees with intellectual disabilities are not only protected, but are also recognized and included."
Since its launch in 2016, the Special Olympics Unified with Refugees has positively impacted over 10,000 refugees and people with intellectual disabilities. This initiative has active collaboration in 13 countries across three continents, with the support of UNHCR, Lions Clubs International Foundation, ESPN and a host of local and national stakeholders.
