UN to halve Rohingya food aid in Bangladesh amid funding crunch

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The United Nations has warned that it will be forced to halve rations for about one million Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh from next month due to a lack of funds.

The World Food Programme (WFP) said in a letter on Mar 5 that “severe funding shortfalls” are forcing a cut in monthly food vouchers from $12.50 to $6 per person.

“Unfortunately, we have still not received sufficient funding, and cost-saving measures alone are not enough,” the letter said.

Mohammed Mizanur Rahman, Bangladesh’s top official overseeing Rohingya refugee camps, confirmed the slashing of the aid.

“I received the letter confirming a $6.50 cut, which will take effect from April 1,” the Bangladesh refugee relief and repatriation commissioner said.

“What they are receiving now is already not enough, so it’s hard to imagine the consequences of this new cut,” he told the Reuters news agency by phone.

The WFP announcement comes days before a visit by UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, who is slated to meet Rohingya refugees to mark the Muslim fasting month of Ramadan.