Cox’s Bazar: Rohingya refugees in overcrowded camps in Bangladesh are bracing for a significant reduction in food rations as international aid agencies face funding shortfalls.
Refugee officials warn that the impending cuts, set to take effect next month, will severely impact the nutrition and well-being of over one million refugees, while exacerbating “social and mental pressures” within the camps.
The World Food Programme (WFP), the primary UN food assistance agency, recently announced that food rations in the camps at Cox’s Bazar will be halved starting April 1.
Refugees currently receiving $12.50 per month for food support will see this amount reduced to $6.
“This drastic cut will severely impact the availability of nutritious food,” said Shamsud Douza, Bangladesh’s additional refugee relief and repatriation commissioner.
“It will lead to malnutrition and create heightened social and mental pressure among the Rohingya community. They will have no choice but to seek alternative means to survive.”
The reduction in aid comes amid broader funding challenges for humanitarian efforts globally, although it remains unclear if the cuts are directly linked to the United States’ recent rollback of foreign aid.
The announcement has sparked fear and frustration among refugees, many of whom rely entirely on aid to meet their basic needs.
“I’m terrified about how I will feed my family,” said Manzur Ahmed, a 40-year-old refugee.
“We have no income opportunities here. With just 700 taka ($6), how will I buy rice, chilies, salt, and oil? Forget about fish, meat, or vegetables—we won’t even be able to afford cooking oil.”
Medical care in the camps is also being affected.
“Medicines are only given in emergency cases now,” said Dildar Begum, a 32-year-old refugee.
“Earlier, anyone who felt unwell could get treatment. Now only the most critical cases receive help.”
More than 700,000 Rohingya Muslims fled to Bangladesh in 2017 following a brutal military crackdown in Myanmar, which the United Nations has described as a campaign of ethnic cleansing.
The stateless minority continues to face severe discrimination in Buddhist-majority Myanmar, where they are denied citizenship and basic rights.
The situation worsened in 2021 after a military coup plunged Myanmar into a civil conflict. Over 70,000 more Rohingya crossed into Bangladesh in 2024, fleeing clashes between Myanmar’s military junta and the Arakan Army, an ethnic opposition group that has taken control of parts of Rakhine State, home to many displaced Rohingya.
The United States has historically been a major donor to humanitarian efforts for Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh, contributing almost half of the aid budget in recent years, including $300 million in 2024.
However, changes in U.S. foreign aid policies have raised concerns about sustained support.
Refugee officials warn that reduced funding could have long-term consequences.
“The overall response to the Rohingya crisis has already slowed,” said Douza.
“Services are being cut, jobs lost, and assistance for the refugees is dwindling. This is an alarming situation.”
Despite the challenges, Bangladesh has maintained that the long-term solution lies in the repatriation of Rohingya to Myanmar.
However, with Myanmar facing allegations of genocide in international courts and ongoing instability, the prospect of safe returns remains uncertain.
