COX’S BAZAR, BANGLADESH: The United Nations is revising its food program for Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh starting in April. The goal is to ensure that every household receives a minimum level of food security.
The crisis has entered its ninth year. More than one million Rohingya refugees live in overcrowded camps. Most fled Myanmar in 2017 following military crackdowns. Access to jobs, education, and basic services is extremely limited.
The World Food Programme (WFP) is the only organization providing monthly food aid to Rohingya refugees. The WFP is introducing a tiered system based on household food insecurity. This aims to meet basic needs for all refugees while giving more assistance to the most vulnerable families.
Aid will not be reduced overall. Instead, it will be distributed according to vulnerability levels identified in a 2025 survey. “Differentiated rations follow global best practices for long-term crises. They ensure fair distribution to those who need it most,” said Kun Li, WFP spokesperson in Bangladesh.
The WFP supports nearly 1.2 million people in Bangladesh. This includes around 150,000 new arrivals since 2024.
Bangladesh’s top official for refugee camps, Mohammed Mizanur Rahman, said 33% of households are highly vulnerable. Fifty percent are moderately vulnerable, and 17% are vulnerable.
In Cox’s Bazar, monthly payments will be $12 for extremely insecure families, $10 for highly insecure families, and $7 for food-insecure households. On Bhasan Char, an island home to 31,000 Rohingya, payments will be slightly higher at $13, $11, and $8 to account for higher prices and logistics costs.
Vulnerable households, such as those headed by children, women, the elderly, or persons with disabilities, will receive an extra $3 per person in fresh food vouchers to improve diet diversity.
Refugees continue to feel the impact of funding shortages. Mohammed Jashim, 37, a father of three, said, “Our rations keep shrinking because of the global funding crunch. We cannot return home. We ask the world not to forget us.”
