By Mohammed Zonaid
The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) has issued a critical update regarding the food assistance for over one million Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh, highlighting an urgent funding gap that could severely impact their survival. Starting from April 1, 2025, the food vouchers for all Rohingya refugees in both Cox’s Bazar and Bhasan Char will be reduced, with ration amounts now equalized between the two regions, despite Bhasan Char previously receiving higher food support than Cox’s Bazar.
Under this new adjustment, the monthly food voucher value will drop from BDT 1,515 (US $12.47) to BDT 726 (US $5.97) per person in Cox’s Bazar, while Bhasan Char will also receive the same amount, down from BDT 1,818 (US $14.96) per person. This reduction is due to a critical funding shortfall, with the WFP needing $15 million for April and $81 million through the end of 2025 to sustain food assistance at its previous levels.
New Fresh Food Support for Vulnerable Populations
In addition to the general reduction in rations, WFP has announced extra support for extremely vulnerable households. Vulnerable groups, including children, pregnant and breastfeeding women, elderly individuals, and people with disabilities, will continue to receive additional fresh food vouchers worth BDT 363.60 (US $2.99) per person per month starting in April.
This measure aims to mitigate the effects of the cuts on the most at-risk populations, whose health and well-being are already at significant risk due to food insecurity. The vouchers will be provided both in Cox's Bazar and Bhasan Char to support those in dire need.
WFP has also assured the Rohingya refugees that this reduction is temporary and contingent upon receiving more funding in the future. The organization has pledged that if sufficient funding is secured, it will reassess and potentially reinstate the full food rations. The WFP remains committed to continuing support for the Rohingya as long as the necessary financial resources are available, emphasizing the urgency of international support to prevent further deterioration in the refugees' condition.
A Call for Long-Term Sustainability
WFP has highlighted that in order to ensure long-term sustainability, a consistent and predictable flow of funding is essential. The agency stressed that continued financial support from international donors is critical to avoid the need for further ration reductions and to ensure that the Rohingya refugees do not fall deeper into hunger and desperation. WFP's long-term goal is to create a framework that provides consistent and sufficient aid to the refugees, ensuring that no one is left behind in the face of such a large-scale crisis.
“We understand that this reduction is difficult for the refugee families and we are doing everything we can to secure additional funding,” said Dom Scalpelli, WFP Country Director in Bangladesh. “However, the decision to equalize rations and reduce food support was made to ensure that we can continue helping everyone in the camps as long as possible.”
WFP continues to urgently appeal to international donors for immediate funding to help prevent the ration cuts from exacerbating the already dire situation. The organization warns that further reductions could worsen malnutrition rates, particularly among children and other vulnerable groups, and lead to increased risks of exploitation, trafficking, and other forms of abuse.
As the situation remains fragile, WFP is focused on securing the necessary funds to restore full rations and prevent further harm to the Rohingya refugees, while continuing to provide essential support for the most vulnerable populations.