In Cox's Bazar, Bangladesh, more than 1 million Rohingya refugees face an uncertain future as they could be left with insufficient food and money for survival. This dire situation arises from potential cuts in U.S. humanitarian aid under President Donald Trump's administration, which could have severe consequences for a community already traumatized by years of displacement.
The Rohingya, who fled a brutal crackdown by Myanmar’s military in 2017, have since lived in sprawling refugee camps entirely dependent on humanitarian assistance. Many of these refugees rely heavily on food rations provided by the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP). However, recent developments threaten to undermine this crucial support. According to a statement from the WFP, if the agency is unable to secure funding, it may have no choice but to halve food rations from $12.50 to just $6 per person per month, starting in April 2025.
During a visit to the camps between March 13 and March 16, 2025, UN Secretary-General António Guterres highlighted the urgent need for continued international support, stating, "Cox's Bazar is ground zero for the impact of budget cuts on people in desperate need." He criticized the U.S. and European nations for halting or reducing their aid budgets, which threatens the welfare of many refugees already struggling to survive.
The current reality facing the Rohingya is stark. For many, the aid they receive is not merely assistance; it is a lifeline. Mahabub Alam, a 56-year-old farmer who was the chairman of a local government body in Myanmar before fleeing, said he and his nine-member family are now entirely dependent on food assistance. "We will not be able to live on that ($6 a month), and we will die here," Alam lamented, voicing fears that the proposed cuts will not only reduce food supplies but may also lead to increased crime and social unrest within the camps.
In a similar vein, Tomida Khatun, a 46-year-old woman who has lived in Cox’s Bazar since her family's flight to safety, expressed deep concerns over medical care. "It will be very difficult for us to live," she warned. Khatun, who suffers from chronic health issues, fears her ability to afford treatment could be compromised by reduced aid. "We are worried about how we are going to feed our children. How are we going to send them to school?" Her comments reflect a broader anxiety among refugees about the impacts of potential ration cuts.
The situation among Rohingya children is particularly alarming. UNICEF reports that over 15% of children in these camps are acutely malnourished, and the looming budget cuts exacerbate this already critical situation. Many families are in a precarious position, struggling to provide not just adequate nutrition but also necessary medical care.
As negotiations and discussions about humanitarian funding unfold, the stakes are incredibly high. Aid workers in the region warn that the cuts, if they take effect, could lead to devastating consequences for the Rohingya, especially for vulnerable groups such as women and children. The prompt delivery and continuation of aid are vital for their survival.
During Guterres's visit, he emphasized the urgent need for global support to avert a worsening humanitarian crisis. He described the drastic cuts in humanitarian aid as "a crime," reiterating the international community’s responsibility to ensure the welfare of the Rohingya people. His message resonates with urgency against a backdrop of declining assistance and an escalating crisis.
Amid these pressing issues, many Rohingya have also taken initiative by engaging in homestead gardening and aquaculture as a means to boost food security and improve their living conditions. These community-driven efforts, supported by the WFP, aim to provide vulnerable households with the necessary resources to sustain themselves during these trying times.
The need for international community intervention has never been more critical. With the cuts poised to affect the lives of those already in desperate need, there is an urgent call to action for foreign aid agencies, governments, and humanitarian organizations to step up their support for the Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh.
Ultimately, the question remains: can the world mobilize to provide the necessary support before it’s too late, or will the Rohingya community face even greater hardship in the months to come? The implications of these potential aid cuts are dire; an entire population hangs in the balance as negotiations surrounding funding continue, leaving them worried about their immediate and future survival.
As the situation evolves, it reinforces the need for sustained global attention to the plight of the Rohingya, ensuring that the assistance they depend on does not falter, and that their voices—like those of Mahabub Alam and Tomida Khatun—are heard in the halls of power.
