UN Athorities Warn of Drastic Cuts to Food Rations for Rohingya Refugees in Bangladesh
The United Nations plans to cut food rations for Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh to $6 monthly, unless $81 million can be raised by April. The reduction, prompted by funding shortfalls, risks worsening hunger among this vulnerable population. Efforts to maintain current rations have failed, emphasizing the urgent need for donor contributions to avert crisis in the refugee camps.
The United Nations has announced plans to reduce food rations for Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh from $12.50 to $6 per month, effective April 1, unless funding is secured to prevent this significant reduction. This dire warning was communicated by Mohammed Mizanur Rahman, the official overseeing refugee camps, who expressed concern over the devastating consequences of such cuts on an already vulnerable population.
The UN World Food Programme (WFP) spokesperson stated that while efforts are being made to raise $81 million to maintain current rations, inadequate funds have necessitated these cuts. The Rohingya, fleeing persecution from Myanmar, currently number over one million in overcrowded camps and face restricted access to employment and education.
Recent reports reveal that increasing numbers of individuals are fleeing to Bangladesh due to worsening hunger conditions in Rakhine state. The WFP has noted that reducing rations below $6 would result in individuals not meeting essential dietary requirements, particularly impacting pregnant and breastfeeding women who have elevated nutritional needs.
The funding shortfall is attributed to a general decline in donations, rather than specific actions taken by the former U.S. administration to restrict foreign aid. Contrarily, the United States has been the largest contributor to humanitarian efforts for the Rohingya since 2017, supporting emergency food and nutrition initiatives.
During a visit to Cox’s Bazar, Filippo Grandi, the head of the UN refugee agency, warned that any dramatic decrease in donor support could severely affect the efforts of the Bangladesh government and aid organizations, risking the health and security of the camp populations.
Previous ration cuts had previously escalated hunger and malnutrition rates among the refugees, where 90% of the camp inhabitants struggled to secure adequate food. Even the reduced ration of $6 would only provide a mere 24 Bangladesh taka daily, insufficient given that basic items like a banana or an egg cost significantly more. Rahman disclosed that over half of the funding necessary for the Rohingya’s humanitarian needs for 2024 originated from U.S. contributions amounting to approximately $300 million.
The turbulence in U.S. foreign aid, characterized by the halting of many assistance programs, has created turmoil across the humanitarian sector, impacting operations in critical areas such as healthcare and sanitation within the Rohingya camps. Rahman remarked on the dire predicament faced by the Rohingya, emphasizing that “These people are stateless, ill-fated and should not be suffering due to the funding crunch.”
In summary, the UN’s potential reduction of food rations for Rohingya refugees poses significant risks to their health and nutrition, especially given the existing limitations they already face. The need for substantial funding to maintain these rations is urgent, highlighting the role of donor contributions in averting crisis within refugee settlements. The ongoing challenges associated with global aid funding further exacerbate the situation, stressing the necessity for continued international support.
Original Source: www.tbsnews.net
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