Thu Mar 06 12:08:32 UTC 2025: ## UN Halves Food Aid for Rohingya Refugees Amid Funding Crisis
**COX’S BAZAR, Bangladesh** — A severe funding shortage has forced the World Food Programme (WFP) to slash monthly food vouchers for nearly one million Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh, reducing them from $12.50 to $6 per person starting April 1st. This drastic cut, confirmed by both the WFP and Bangladesh’s refugee relief commissioner, Mohammed Mizanur Rahman, raises serious concerns about the already dire humanitarian situation in the overcrowded camps.
The WFP cites “severe funding shortfalls” as the reason for the reduction, despite continued US support for food aid. However, the recent halt of most US foreign aid by the Trump administration has impacted health services within the camps, with five US-funded hospitals forced to reduce services. This, combined with the food voucher cuts, paints a grim picture for the Rohingya population, who already face widespread malnutrition and limited access to jobs and education.
The decision has drawn sharp criticism. Nay San Lwin, co-founder of the Free Rohingya Coalition, called the cut a “death sentence,” urging the WFP to prioritize reducing administrative costs and increasing aid quotas. Similarly, UN High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi warned that decreased donor support puts thousands of lives at risk, potentially leading to increased hunger, disease, and insecurity.
While the EU recently pledged €76 million in humanitarian aid, the funding gap remains significant. A previous reduction in food rations in 2023 led to a 90% increase in those struggling to access adequate diets and a surge in child malnutrition. The current cuts are expected to exacerbate these problems further. Bangladesh, already struggling to support the refugee population, is now facing a deepening humanitarian crisis. The UN Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres, is set to visit the camps during Ramadan, further highlighting the urgency of the situation.
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