Fund shortfall forces UN to cut food aid for Rohingya refugees
The United Nations on Friday announced plans to slash food aid to Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh, blaming a funding shortfall.
Various agencies have warned that this action would deepen food insecurity and malnutrition in the world’s largest refugee settlement.
About 730,000 Rohingya, a persecuted mostly Muslim minority from Myanmar’s Rakhine state, fled to Bangladesh in 2017 to escape an army crackdown the UN said was carried out with genocidal intent.
These included others who left in prior waves, nearly one million live in huts made of bamboo and plastic sheets.
The World Food Programme (WFP) said it would reduce the value of its food assistance to $10 per person from $12 starting next month.
WFP said the pandemic, economic downturn, and global crises had stretched donor budgets.
The WFP appealed for $125 million in urgent funding, warning of “immense and long-lasting” repercussions on food security and nutrition in camps rife with malnutrition, where more than a third of children are stunted and underweight.
Onno Van Manen, Save the Children’s country director in Bangladesh, in a statement, said, “the international donor community is now turning its back on half a million Rohingya children and their families, pointing out that “this really shows the limits of its commitment to some of the most vulnerable people in the world.”
Two UN special rapporteurs, Michael Fakhri and Thomas Andrews warned of the “devastating consequence” of the funding shortfall, saying it was “unconscionable” to cut rations just before the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, the UN human rights agency said in a statement.
Mohammed Mizanur Rahman, Bangladesh’s refugee relief and repatriation commissioner, based in Cox’s Bazar, the border district where the refugees live, said cuts could cause more Rohingya to take desperate measures to seek work.
Rohingya are barred from working to supplement their income, and Bangladesh has constructed fences around the camps that stop them from leaving. However, an increasing number are fleeing for countries such as Malaysia and Indonesia via perilous and often fatal boat journeys.
(Reuters/NAN)
We have recently deactivated our website's comment provider in favour of other channels of distribution and commentary. We encourage you to join the conversation on our stories via our Facebook, Twitter and other social media pages.
More from Peoples Gazette
Agriculture
FG tasks ECOWAS on leveraging financing strategies for agroecology
The federal government has urged stakeholders in the agriculture and finance sectors in the West Africa region to leverage financing strategies to enhance agroecology practices
Politics
Katsina youths pledge to deliver over 2 million votes to Atiku
“Katsina State is Atiku’s political base because it is his second home.”
NationWide
Focus on criminals, stop targeting journalists, CPJ tells Nigerian security agencies
She also pointed out harsh bail requirements imposed on journalists, describing Mr Ugagbe’s bail conditions as “utterly punitive.”
Education
Tinubu upgrades Nasarawa poly to university
Mr Onanuga said the approval followed a proposal by Senator Ahmed Aliyu, who represents the Nasarawa West Senatorial District.
Lagos
Lagos govt signs agreement to automate vehicle registration
Mr Osiyemi said the initiative would simplify and speed up vehicle registration by eliminating cumbersome processes.
States
Three rescued, one body recovered as building collapses in Kano
The PRO attributed the collapse to the use of poor and substandard building materials.
NationWide
FG calls for stronger African collaboration to combat illicit wealth, transnational corruption
Mr Fagbemi added that the recovery and transparent management of proceeds of crime remained a key pillar of the country’s anti-corruption policy.
Heading 2
FG reiterates commitment to ensuring safe return of Nigerians from South Africa
“The last evacuation flight, which is expected to bring home approximately 300 of our nationals, is expected to arrive in Nigeria next week,” Mr Ebienfa said.
