The UN is set to halve food rations for Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh to $6 per month from $12.50, raising concerns about increased hunger in the world’s largest refugee camp. The reduction stems from failed fundraising efforts, and the existing rations are already inadequate for basic survival. This significant funding loss may have severe implications for health, nutrition, and overall well-being.

The United Nations plans to reduce food rations for Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh from $12.50 to $6 per month starting next month due to insufficient funding. Mohammed Mizanur Rahman, who oversees the refugee camps, expressed concerns about the severe consequences of this cut, stating that the current amounts are already inadequate, thereby exacerbating the risk of hunger in this vast refugee settlement.

With over one million Rohingya refugees living in overcrowded camps in Cox’s Bazar, many fled from violence in Myanmar between 2016 and 2017. Last year, an additional 70,000 individuals sought refuge in Bangladesh, motivated largely by increasing hunger in their home state of Rakhine. The World Food Programme (WFP) disclosed that despite efforts to secure funding to maintain the rations, it has been unsuccessful.

In a communication to Rahman, the WFP conveyed that a reduction to less than $6 would deprive refugees of basic dietary needs, thus affecting their chances of survival. The WFP acknowledged that the cut would burden families relying entirely on humanitarian support and heighten tensions within the camps. They emphasized that a reduction in support would critically impact the community’s overall wellbeing, particularly with regard to hunger and health.

The financial strain for these refugees appears in part linked to cuts in U.S. foreign aid under the previous administration, which was the primary donor for the humanitarian response. Recent decisions have led to a considerable reduction in aid across various programs, producing chaos in humanitarian operations worldwide, including those that serve lifesaving purposes in countries like Sudan.

U.N. refugee agency head Filippo Grandi emphasized during a site visit the serious ramifications of diminished donor support, warning that it would threaten the hard work accomplished by various stakeholders, risking increased hunger, disease, and instability among the refugee population. Previous ration reductions led to alarming spikes in malnutrition, with significant portions of the camp population unable to access adequate diets.

Under the new ration scheme, refugees would be limited to roughly 24 Bangladeshi taka per day, which is insufficient for basic nutrition, considering the cost of common food items. Ongoing reductions in humanitarian support have already strained essential services, indicating that further cuts may lead to severe repercussions for hospital operations and waste management in these communities.

The impending reduction of food rations to the Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh highlights the critical funding gaps experienced by humanitarian organizations. The decision raises alarm about worsening hunger and malnutrition among a vulnerable population already facing dire living conditions. Urgent interventions and increased support from donors are crucial to prevent exacerbating the humanitarian crisis facing these refugees.

Original Source: www.usnews.com

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