The UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC) experts on Friday warned of “catastrophic consequences” of the World Food Programme’s (WFP) decision to cut funding for Rohingya refugees.
Two Special Rapporteurs of the UNHRC, Michael Fakhri and Thomas Andrews, released a statement calling on donor nations to provide funds to the WFP’s Refugee Response Programme for the Rohingya Muslims living in camps in Bangladesh.
UN independent #HumanRights experts @RapporteurUn + @MichaelFakhri warn that cutting @WFP food rations to #Rohingayas in #Bangladesh would have catastrophic consequences @UN_SPExpertshttps://t.co/6wKdYiwH2u
— UN News (@UN_News_Centre) February 16, 2023
Overview
According to the UN report, the WFP indicated that it would slash rations for Rohingya refugees by 17% to $10 per person starting from March, warning that it could introduce further cuts if fresh funding is not secured by April. It is seeking $125 million from the international community to avoid this.
Around 750,000 Rohingya refugees have been in camps in Bangladesh after fleeing Myanmar from the military-led genocide in 2017. Amid the deteriorating human rights and living conditions, several refugees have been taking up arduous journeys to escape to Malaysia and Indonesia.
6⃣ years into the #Rohingya refugee crisis, we join @UNinBangladesh in concerns over lack of funding, forcing @WFP to cut back lifesaving food assistance for the 1st time.
— UN Sustainable Development Group 🇺🇳 (@UN_SDG) February 14, 2023
An appeal has been launched to avoid further cuts to much needed support.
👉 https://t.co/87tkBtcMkj pic.twitter.com/1kHdjHMhLH
UN Warns of Consequences
The UN experts said that the cuts would severely impact “vulnerable people who are already food insecure,” warning of the high rates of acute and chronic malnutrition. The report highlighted that one-third of the children were stunted and underweight.
The experts added that the consequences would be “immediate and long-lasting” and could push the community into threats like violence, unrest, and human trafficking.
“The Rohingya, survivors of genocidal attacks by the Myanmar military, are now further victimised by the failure of the international community to ensure their basic right to food.” - OHCHR https://t.co/HtdfgEz3Ml
— Wai Wai Nu (@waiwainu) February 17, 2023
Lamenting the decision, the UNHRC experts emphasised that the WFP was pushed to make this decision because the “international community failed to provide funding for initiatives” for Rohingya Muslims. It further stressed that the slash of rations weeks ahead of Ramadan, the Islamic month of fasting, is “unconscionable.”
NGOs Echo Concern
Rohingya refugees attempt extremely dangerous sea crossings hoping to find safety and opportunity in Southeast Asia.
— EU Civil Protection & Humanitarian Aid 🇪🇺 (@eu_echo) February 16, 2023
Many lose their lives.
Shukura Bibi survived and ended up in Indonesia's Aceh province among hundreds of others. This is her testimony.@ECHO_Asia #WithRefugees pic.twitter.com/k4my1AID4C
Resonating with the UN experts’ concern, International NGO Save the Children urged the international community to “not turn their backs” on the Rohingya Muslims, who are already “at a breaking point.”
The organisation’s chief Onno Van Manen said that community members living in camps already suffer due to a lack of food and job opportunities, with there being several reports of child marriage and child labour.