UN World Food Programme Announces Severe Rations Cuts for Rohingya Refugees in Bangladesh Amid Global Funding Crisis

Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh face severe food aid cuts as the WFP reduces monthly rations to US$7–$10 due to a global funding crisis and US aid cuts.

By: AXL Media

Published: Mar 25, 2026, 8:20 AM EDT

Source: The information in this article was sourced from Channel News Asia

A Looming Humanitarian Emergency in Cox’s Bazar

The humanitarian situation in Bangladesh’s refugee camps reached a critical juncture on Wednesday as the UN World Food Programme (WFP) finalized plans to significantly reduce life-sustaining aid. For the 1.2 million Rohingya refugees living in the sprawling settlements of Ukhia and Teknaf, the announcement marks a devastating blow to their food security. The WFP, which serves as the sole provider of monthly food assistance to the community, cited a crippling global funding shortage and the additional pressure of 150,000 new arrivals who have fled the escalating conflict in Myanmar since 2024.

Tiered Rations and the "Food Gap" Strategy

Beginning April 1, the WFP will transition from a flat rate to a tiered assistance model designed to stretch limited resources. Currently, all refugees receive a voucher equivalent to US$12 per month. Under the new guidelines, those in the "middle category" will see their assistance drop to US$10, while those deemed at "lower risk" will receive just US$7. WFP spokesperson Kun Li defended the move as a necessary measure to deliver assistance equitably, ensuring that the remaining full US$12 payments are reserved for the approximately one-third of the population classified as "extremely food insecure," including households headed by children, women, or the elderly.

The Impossible Math of Survival

Refugee leaders and civil rights advocates have reacted to the cuts with profound alarm. Sayed Ullah, president of the United Council of Rohingya, questioned the basic feasibility of the new rates, noting that even the original US$12 was insufficient for a full month of nutrition. The prospect of surviving on roughly 23 cents a day (US$7 per month) has sparked fears of widespread malnutrition. Because refugees are legally barred from seeking formal employment in Bangladesh, Ullah warned that the reduction in aid would likely drive desperate individuals toward "illegal activities" or high-risk human trafficking routes simply to secure their next meal.