The United Nations has warned that it is going to be pressured to halve rations for about a million Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh from subsequent month because of a scarcity of funds.
The World Meals Programme (WFP) mentioned in a letter on Wednesday that “extreme funding shortfalls” are forcing a reduce in month-to-month meals vouchers from $12.50 to $6 per particular person.
“Sadly, we have now nonetheless not obtained adequate funding, and cost-saving measures alone should not sufficient,” the letter mentioned.
Mohammed Mizanur Rahman, Bangladesh’s prime official overseeing Rohingya refugee camps, confirmed the slashing of the help.
“I obtained the letter confirming a $6.50 reduce, which is able to take impact from April 1,” the Bangladesh refugee aid and repatriation commissioner mentioned.
“What they’re receiving now could be already not sufficient, so it’s arduous to think about the implications of this new reduce,” he advised the Reuters information company by telephone.
The WFP announcement comes days earlier than a go to by UN Secretary-Basic Antonio Guterres, who’s slated to fulfill Rohingya refugees to mark the Muslim fasting month of Ramadan.
Bangladesh is sheltering multiple million Rohingya, members of a persecuted Muslim minority who fled violent purges in neighbouring Myanmar largely in 2016 and 2017. They stay in overcrowded camps within the southern district of Cox’s Bazar, the place they’ve restricted entry to job alternatives and training.
Successive assist cuts have already prompted extreme hardship among the many Rohingya refugees, who’re reliant on assist and undergo from rampant malnutrition.
Bangladesh has struggled to assist the refugees because the prospects of a wholesale return to Myanmar or resettlement elsewhere are distant.
Nay San Lwin, co-founder of the Free Rohingya Coalition, mentioned the meals voucher reduce is “a loss of life sentence” for the Rohingya refugees, already enduring very dire conditions.
“WFP ought to emphasise decreasing administrative prices and different bills whereas growing quotas for refugees to obtain lifesaving assist,” he advised Al Jazeera.
“Worldwide donors ought to prioritise life-saving efforts as a substitute of spending funds on different functions.”
Threat of starvation, illness
The funding hole is because of a broad shortfall in donations somewhat than a choice by President Donald Trump’s administration in the US to chop its international assist globally, the WFP mentioned, including that US assist for meals assist for the Rohingya has continued.
However the resolution by the Trump administration to abruptly halt most US international assist will impression well being amenities within the camps.
Rahman mentioned the cuts by Washington imply a “squeeze on operations” at hospitals within the Rohingya camps and in waste administration and 5 US-funded hospitals have needed to cut back companies. He mentioned if meals had been to be decreased, it will create a “grievous drawback”.
“These persons are stateless, ill-fated and shouldn’t be struggling as a result of funding crunch,” Rahman mentioned.
The US contributed greater than 50 % of the funds for the Rohingya humanitarian response in 2024, about $300m, Rahman mentioned final month.
UN Excessive Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi on Friday mentioned he feared a lower in donor assist would put the lives of 1000’s in danger.
“If donor assist decreases dramatically – which can occur – the massive work carried out by the Bangladesh authorities, assist companies and refugees might be impacted, placing 1000’s liable to starvation, illness and insecurity,” Grandi posted on X.
A earlier spherical of ration cuts to Rohingya in 2023, which decreased the quantity of meals rations to $8 month-to-month, led to a pointy improve in starvation and malnutrition, based on the UN.
Inside months, they mentioned, 90 % of the camp inhabitants “struggled to entry an sufficient food plan” and greater than 15 % of youngsters suffered from malnutrition, the best charge recorded. The reduce was later reversed.
On Monday, the European Fee introduced the allocation of 76 million euros ($79.4m) in humanitarian assist for Rohingya refugees and others affected by battle in Myanmar.
“The EU stands firmly with Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh, simply as we have now for the previous seven years,” EU Disaster Commissioner Hadja Lahbib mentioned.
“With battle nonetheless raging in Rakhine State and throughout Myanmar, their protected and dignified return stays out of attain,” mentioned Lahbib, who visited refugee camps in Cox’s Bazar on Monday.
