The United States will provide $73 million in new financial assistance to ensure food security and proper nutrition for the Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh, amid concerns that aid cuts could deepen the crisis for the world's largest stateless population.This food and nutrition support through WFP [UN World Food Programme] will provide critically needed food and nutrition assistance for more than one million people, read an X post by Tammy Bruce, spokesperson for the US Department of State, on Thursday. A similar reduction in 2023, which lowered food rations to $8 per person, led to a sharp increase in malnutrition before it was reversed.A WFP spokesperson said it bridged the funding gap "with timely contributions from donors," without giving details. Separately, the U.S. said on Thursday it will provide $73 million in new financial aid to Rohingya refugees through the WFP.Bangladesh is sheltering more than 1 million Rohingya - members of a persecuted Muslim minority who fled violent purges in neighbouring Myanmar - in camps in the Cox's Bazar district, where they have limited access to jobs or education.About 70,000 Rohingya from Myanmar fled to Bangladesh last year, driven in part by growing hunger in their home state of Rakhine.The Office of Bangladesh's Refugee Relief and Repatriation Commissioner, which oversees refugee camps, said the food rations will help sustain food security and nutrition among the refugees. The Inter-Sector Coordination Group, which oversees relief operations, said about 300,000 refugees have already faced disruptions in healthcare services. �" bdnews24.com

Source: bd News24 March 28, 2025 17:31 UTC