Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh face impending aid cuts due to a freeze in U.S. foreign aid, risking their food rations being halved. UN officials warn that such reductions could lead to increased suffering, particularly among women and children. Concerns regarding unrest and basic necessities mount as families express desperation over their future.

The Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh face severe distress as impending aid cuts threaten their already fragile existence. Following U.S. President Donald Trump’s freeze on foreign aid, over one million refugees, who have been relying on humanitarian assistance since fleeing persecution in Myanmar, could face halved food rations. The U.N. World Food Program (WFP) reported that if funding is not secured, rations could drop from $12.50 to just $6 per month, exacerbating their plight in the Cox’s Bazar region.

UN Secretary-General António Guterres criticized the reduction of aid from the U.S. and European nations during his recent visit to the camps. He highlighted the urgent necessity of continued support for the Rohingya community, emphasizing that aid cuts would have catastrophic consequences. Aid workers have warned that the substantial reduction in support starting next month would disproportionately affect women and children, leading to increased suffering and vulnerability among the most affected.

The situation is dire for individuals like Mahabub Alam, a former local leader turned refugee, who has become entirely dependent on aid to sustain his nine-member family. Alam expressed his alarm at the potential reduction in food rations, stating that the $6 allowance would be insufficient for survival. He noted that prior provisions enabled families to maintain basic health and nutritional standards, which are now threatened due to the funding shortfall.

Alam raised concerns about rising unrest within the overcrowded camps, anticipating that reduced resources might lead to theft and violence as individuals scramble for access to basic necessities. For many, returning to Myanmar, albeit perilous, appears as a preferable option compared to enduring the hardships in the camps without adequate support.

Fellow refugee Tomida Khatun, who also fled Myanmar in 2017, echoed similar sentiments. She lamented the impacts of reduced aid on her family’s health and wellbeing, stressing the need for medical attention and the obstacles posed by insufficient funding to access necessary treatments. Khatun fears the future for her children, questioning how they will afford food and education amid these looming cuts.

The impending aid cuts looming over Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh portend a deepening humanitarian crisis. With food rations likely to be halved and essential support diminished, the already vulnerable population faces dire conditions. The potential for increased unrest and health-related challenges highlights the urgent need for sustained international assistance to ensure the safety and wellbeing of these displaced individuals.

Original Source: abcnews.go.com

Related posts:

Rohingya Refugees Face Dire Situation as Aid Cuts Loom in Bangladesh Rohingya Refugees in Bangladesh Face Dire Consequences from Potential Aid Cuts UN Chief’s Visit Highlights Crisis Among Rohingya Refugees in Bangladesh UN Chief Visits Rohingya Refugees as Aid Funding Falls Short