COX’S BAZAR, Bangladesh — Within the densely populated refugee camps in Bangladesh, anxiety is mounting among Rohingya refugees following the announcement of a significant reduction in food rations slated to commence next month. These cutbacks are anticipated to affect over a million refugees, potentially diminishing their nutrition and exerting increased social and psychological strain. This concern is echoed by refugee officials who foresee a challenging situation ahead.
The catalyst for these reductions includes interference with foreign aid contributions, a situation exacerbated by the U.S. presidency under Donald Trump, during which a halt on most foreign aid was executed. Additionally, the dismantling of the U.S. Agency for International Development disrupted the global humanitarian aid framework. The suspension of funding was initiated by an executive order on January 20, which instituted a 90-day hold for further evaluation.
Recently, the World Food Program, the lead agency responsible for addressing food needs among refugees, declared that from April 1, food rations in Cox’s Bazar would be reduced. This region, home to numerous Rohingya encampments, will now face the impact of these reductions firsthand.
Over 700,000 Rohingya Muslims have fled to Bangladesh from Myanmar, escaping a military “clearance operation” that began in August 2017. The Rohingya ethnic group has long suffered from systematic discrimination and is deprived of citizenship rights in Myanmar, a primarily Buddhist nation. Following the military coup in 2021, Myanmar has been entrenched in a conflict that resembles a civil war.
It remains uncertain if the World Food Program’s cuts are connected to the actions of the Trump administration. Shamsud Douza, who acts as an additional refugee relief and repatriation commissioner in Bangladesh, elaborated on the situation: “We were informed through a letter that the monthly allocation would decrease from $12.50 to $6. This substantial reduction will have profound effects,” Douza said.
With the diminished food supplies, the refugees will face challenges in maintaining proper nutrition, resulting in new social and mental stress within their communities, according to Douza. He also hinted that other areas of aid, aside from food, have also experienced budget reductions, yet he declined to confirm if these are linked to the U.S. funding cuts.
He noted, “The reduced support inevitably slows down the response. People, including many Rohingya, have lost jobs, and support services are scaling back. The implications of such a reduction do not bode well.”
Despite these reductions, the interim government of Bangladesh assures that while other projects may be halted, the fund to support Rohingya refugees will persist. Historically, the U.S. has been a substantial benefactor, contributing significantly to humanitarian responses, and had allocated about $300 million in aid by 2024.
As news of the forthcoming ration cuts filtered through the camps in Cox’s Bazar, a wave of fear and uncertainty washed over the refugee population. Manzur Ahmed, a 40-year-old refugee, voiced his distress: “How am I supposed to support my family with no income opportunities? Living on 700 taka ($6) is unthinkable—essentials like rice, spices, and even cooking oil seem beyond reach. What about fish, meat, and vegetables?”
In addition to food shortages, refugees noted a decline in the availability of medical treatments. Dildar Begum, aged 32, recounted, “Hospitals now limit medicine distribution to emergencies. Previously, anyone feeling unwell received treatment, but this is no longer the case.”
With hundreds of thousands having resided in Bangladesh for several decades, about 70,000 more crossed in 2024 alone, escaping conflict in Myanmar. The Arakan Army, an opposition force, has claimed control over the Rakhine State, which resulted in further displacements. Bangladesh maintains that Rohingya refugees should return to Myanmar—a nation currently facing accusations of genocide in an international court regarding its treatment of the Rohingya.
