US Aid Suspension Significantly Affects Rohingya Refugees in Bangladesh
The US government’s recent suspension of global aid is severely affecting the Rohingya in Bangladesh. With over 1.3 million refugees relying on diminishing humanitarian support, healthcare services are already feeling the strain. Concerns are rising about the continuation of aid amidst ongoing conflict in Myanmar, as the situation for the Rohingya worsens.
In recent developments, the United States government has enacted an executive order to suspend global aid funding, which has begun to impact the Rohingya people residing in refugee camps in Bangladesh. A significant official in refugee affairs remarked on Thursday that these decisions have immediate implications for the Rohingya, an ethnic minority formerly from Myanmar’s Rakhine state, who have faced systemic discrimination and violence since the 1980s.
The historical context of the Rohingya crisis is profound, with over 700,000 fleeing to Bangladesh in 2017 following a violent crackdown, deemed by the United Nations as ethnic cleansing. Now, approximately 1.3 million Rohingya are squeezed into 33 camps within Cox’s Bazar, making it the world’s largest refugee settlement, where they rely heavily on humanitarian assistance.
This critical aid has already been diminishing since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, and the United States has been a significant contributor, donating $301 million last year, accounting for 55 percent of all foreign support for the Rohingya population. The recent budget cuts introduced by the Trump administration are expected to have severe consequences, particularly in vital areas such as health and sanitation.
Mizanur Rahman, the refugee relief and repatriation commissioner, expressed grave concerns stating, “The US budget cut will directly impact the Rohingya population, as the United States contributes more than 50 percent of the funding for the Joint Response Plan. Health, sanitation, and nutrition sectors will be especially affected if US funding is not available.”
Concerns are prevailing regarding the exacerbation of the Rohingya humanitarian crisis coupled with renewed conflicts in Myanmar, which have led to an additional exodus of approximately 80,000 Rohingya to Bangladesh since August. The declining foreign aid amid global emergencies poses a daunting challenge for Bangladesh, the host country already facing numerous struggles.
Organizations such as Save the Children, BRAC, and UNICEF have already noted detrimental effects on their healthcare centers. Rahman indicated that if the U.S. funding ceases entirely, they will seek to engage other donor nations and agencies to bolster assistance efforts, although he warns that the consequences for the Rohingya could be dire if fundraising attempts prove unsuccessful.
With the potential for significant operational budget cuts looming, several hospitals within the camps have begun scaling back services, raising fears that they may be forced to close entirely by March if funding is not restored. The plight of the Rohingya hangs in a precarious balance as efforts to sustain aid continue amidst growing financial challenges.
The US aid cuts are poised to have an immediate and detrimental impact on the Rohingya population living in Bangladesh, already facing significant hardships. As the largest donor, the suspension of funds threatens critical healthcare and essential services in refugee camps. With the ongoing conflict in Myanmar exacerbating the crisis, Bangladesh is under increasing strain to accommodate the rising number of Rohingya, highlighting the urgent need for alternative funding avenues to avert humanitarian disaster.
Original Source: www.arabnews.com
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