UN ration cut to aggravate woes of Rohingyas

Bangladesh has already started to face the effects caused by US President Donald Trump's policies. On 7th March, the United Nations World Food Program (WFP) announced that monthly rations will be reduced from $12.50 to $6 per person for the undocumented Rohingya migrants. The new scheme will be made effective from April. The decision comes at a time when USA under Donald Trump has ordered the cancellation of several foreign aid programs. Blocking off aids from USA has put a squeeze on several aid programs around the world.

 

 

The decision is concerning for Bangladesh, which is now currently hosting millions of undocumented Rohingyas at camps in Cox's Bazar and Bandarban. Most of those Rohingyas arrived from Arakan of Myanmar during 2016 and 2017 in the face of crackdown by Myanmar Army. Since then, Bangladesh has been burdened with a large population of Rohingya to feed. There are nearly 1 million Rohingyas in the camps in Bangladesh. Worse is the recent conflicts in Myanmar has created new influx of Rohingyas towards Bangladesh. Since 2024, about 80,000 Rohingyas has fled to Bangladesh.

 

Bangladesh is not going through a good time right now. Since the revolution back in 2024, which toppled Hasina's Government, the country is going through a transitional phase of reformation. That reformation process by the interim Government led by dr. Yunus is not functioning smoothly. Crime rates have soared, law enforcement has become crippled and economy is stagnant. In such a situation, the news of slashing funds for Rohingyas is a bad news for Bangladesh.

 

 

Food is linked to security in the Rohingya camps. Rohingyas are unable to work and are confined within the camps. Large percentage of Rohingyas are women, children and elderly, who are dependent on the aid. The camps has become infested with terrorists and insurgents. If rations are cut, a significant chunk of the population will face starvation. That can increase the risks of radicalization the camps. A significant proportion of the population in the camps are young male and children, who are at risk of becoming radicalized. A large population suffering from hunger can easily becoming target of extremist groups in the camps.

 

 

Extremist groups are not the only danger. Drug trafficking, human trafficking and arms smuggling rings are active in the camps. These traffickers and smugglers will take advantage of the anarchy that will be created because of the shortage of food. A large proportion of Rohingya men and even women wish to move to Malaysia or Middle-East for better life. These Rohingyas can fall prey to human trafficking rings which are active along the coastal areas near Cox's Bazar. Facing with hunger, a large chunk of Rohingyas lay at risk of becoming involved arms trafficking and drug smuggling as a source of living.

 

Unfortunately, the interim Government is not at a suitable position to deal with the impending doom. The aftermath of the revolution has crippled the Police and security. The military is focused on maintaining law and order in the cities and villages. In such scenario, keeping the crimes in check at the camps has become difficult. Law enforcement is busy in quelling political riots. The interim Government is also busy in dealing with the crisis left by the vacuum in the aftermath of the revolution. Such distractions have shifted focus away from the dangers lurking in the Rohingya camps. The current security measures are not sufficient to deter crimes in the camps.

 

Unfortunately, Bangladesh will have to accept this bitter reality and look for solutions. Trump's tenure has just begun and will continue for four years. If Trump decides to slash more foreign funding, Bangladesh will have to prepare for more consequences in the coming days. There is few scopes for diplomacy, as previous experiences has showed that Trump administration does not regard refugee or food crisis as a priority. Moreover, Trump's interaction with the interim Government has been meagre. Therefore, Bangladesh will have to take initiatives immediately regarding alternate sources of aid and talks for repatriation. Otherwise, the displaced Rohingyas will become ticking bombs.

 

The writer is a student of International Relations at Bangladesh University of Professionals