In brief
As aid cuts threaten the survival of Rohingya refugees in the world's largest camp in Bangladesh, UN officials warn that insufficient resources could lead to widespread hunger and suffering.
In a sprawling Rohingya refugee camp in southeastern Bangladesh, more than a million individuals are on the brink of a dire humanitarian crisis. Aid cuts initiated by the recent shifts in U.S. policy, particularly under the Trump administration, are set to drastically reduce food rations to perilously low levels. According to United Nations officials, starting in April, refugees could receive only about 18 pounds of rice, two pounds of lentils, a liter of cooking oil, and a small amount of salt for the entire month—far below the threshold for survival.During a visit to the camp, U.N. Secretary General António Guterres addressed the urgent situation, stating, “We are facing the dramatic risk of having only 40 percent in 2025 of the resources available for humanitarian aid in 2024.” He stressed that this would be an "unmitigated disaster" leading to suffering and loss of life. The cuts come amid a backdrop of escalating global conflicts, which have exacerbated the already fragile state of humanitarian aid.As other countries in Europe also tighten their humanitarian budgets to allocate more funds for military purposes, the situation grows increasingly critical. The Rohingya community, already plagued by violence and displacement, is now facing the compounded threat of starvation, prompting calls for increased international support. This precarious moment underscores the urgent need for global solidarity and action to avert devastating outcomes for the Rohingya people.
