The situation for Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh is deeply alarming and demands immediate attention. The drastic reduction in rations, from $12.50 to $6 per month, devastates a struggling population.

With over half of the refugees being children and many already suffering from malnutrition, these cuts could have catastrophic consequences, particularly for the young and vulnerable.

The refugees, unable to work and utterly dependent on aid, find themselves in a particularly vulnerable position, underscoring the urgent need for support.

“Rohingya refugees are already barely surviving, and these ration cuts are a slow death sentence,” said Tun Khin, President of Burmese Rohingya Organisation UK (BROUK) on March 5.

He asked, “Will the international community, which refused to act to prevent genocide, now let starvation finish the genocide the Burmese military started?”

BROUK press release states that 52% of the over 1 million Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh are children, with 40% suffering from stunting.

The closure of USAID and cuts to foreign aid under the Trump administration have worsened the crisis for the Rohingya. While the U.S. has recognized their genocide, the international response remains inadequate.

This situation highlights the ongoing challenges the Rohingya face in Bangladesh and Myanmar, where they continue to suffer persecution and violence. Urgent action and increased donor support are needed.

The issue of reduced rations for Rohingya refugees gained media attention through reports from organizations like the UN World Food Programme (WFP) and statements from officials overseeing refugee camps.

Mohammed Mizanur Rahman, Bangladesh’s top camp official, confirmed that he received a letter regarding the cuts, which he shared with news outlets such as Reuters.

These reports also highlighted the WFP’s efforts to raise funds and their challenges.

This coverage has sparked widespread concern about the potential consequences for refugees living in precarious conditions.

It’s a stark reminder of the importance of international support and advocacy for vulnerable populations.

Abdur Rahman, a journalist from Cox’s Bazar, has been reporting on the issues faced by Rohingya refugees for many years. In a phone interview on March 6 with One-man Newsroom, he shared his concerns about the situation in the refugee camps.

“Unrest and tension rose among the refugees as food supplies decreased. Many ordinary people in the camps are turning to criminal activities to provide for their families, leading to increased chaos and disorder,” he said.

Rahman mentioned that at least a dozen community leaders have voiced their worries about this situation. He also noted that more people are trying to leave the camps due to the lack of food.

Rahman is apprehensive about what might happen if the food supplies continue to decline after April 2025. He fears it could lead to a serious breakdown in safety and order within the camps.

Additionally, he warned that this situation could result in more cases of migrant smuggling and human trafficking in and around the Rohingya camps.

A WFP press release in January 2025 highlighted the crucial role of the European Union’s support for the 1 million Rohingya refugees in Cox’s Bazar and Bhasan Char. This assistance has been essential in maintaining WFP’s lifesaving food and nutrition programs.

With this support, WFP reversed two significant ration cuts that occurred in 2023. Since August 2024, they have restored the monthly food ration to $12.50 per person.

Earlier in 2023, WFP faced an unprecedented funding crisis, which forced the organization to reduce food assistance from the full entitlement of $12 to just $8.

They gave the Rohingya refugees a mere 25 cents to cover their daily food needs.

A Commentary titled “U.S. Aid Cuts Make Famine More Likely and Easier to Hide,” Published on February 28, said that during the Cold War, the U.S. sometimes withheld food aid to strong-arm countries facing famine to stop trading or align with communist states.

“Examples include Bangladesh in 1974 and Ethiopia in 1984, although Washington eventually relented in the latter case under domestic and international pressure,” International Crisis Group (ICG) contributors added.

A February 20 press release indicated that nearly all Rohingya refugees rely on humanitarian aid for survival, receiving about $12 per month for food from WFP.

A January publication noted that 211,000 Rohingya children in 3,388 learning centers receive fortified biscuits as part of the school feeding program and 55,900 children in 212 government primary schools in host communities.

Additionally, WFP provides malnutrition management and prevention services at 179 sites in Cox’s Bazar, local communities, and Bhasan Char Island.