UN Warns of Food Ration Cuts for Rohingya Refugees in Bangladesh Amid Funding Shortfall

The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) announced it may reduce monthly food rations for Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh from $12.50 to $6 starting April 1, due to a critical funding shortage. This cut, confirmed by Bangladesh's official Mohammed Mizanur Rahman, overseeing the refugee camps, could severely worsen hunger in the world's largest refugee settlement. The WFP is seeking $81 million to avert the cuts, emphasizing that a $6 ration would fall below minimum survival standards, especially impacting pregnant and breastfeeding women. Bangladesh currently shelters over one million Rohingya refugees who fled Myanmar. A previous ration reduction in 2023 led to increased malnutrition. The US has historically been the top donor, but a broad shortfall in donations is causing the current crisis. The UN refugee agency (UNHCR) head, Filippo Grandi, warned of the impact on refugees, aid agencies, and the Bangladesh government if donor support decreases.