Republic of Korea Strengthens Support for WFP’s Food Assistance for Rohingya in Bangladesh
Dhaka, Bangladesh — The Republic of Korea has stepped up its support to the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) with a new contribution of US$2 million. The timely funding enabled WFP to reach nearly 76,000 Rohingya and provide them with full rations of US$12.50 for two months.
“We are pleased that this latest contribution, along with Korea’s rice donation in July and August, has helped many Rohingya families meet their essential food needs. The Republic of Korea stands committed to easing the Rohingya’s plight and we hope more partners will join us in supporting them,” said PARK Young-sik, the Ambassador of the Republic of Korea to Bangladesh.
Over recent years, the Government of Korea through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has steadily contributed to WFP’s Rohingya food assistance in Bangladesh. In addition to food assistance, WFP has been supporting the population with nutrition, school feeding, resilience-building, and disaster risk reduction assistance, while also assisting host Bangladeshi communities in Cox’s Bazar with nutrition, livelihood support, and resilience-building.
Despite ongoing needs, humanitarian partners have been facing significant funding challenges, resulting in reduced assistance in 2023. Food rations had to be cut from US$12 to US$10 in March, and further down to US$8 in June. Following these ration cuts, WFP’s monitoring showed a sharp decline in food consumption among Rohingya families. Global acute malnutrition (GAM) levels rose to 15.1 percent – surpassing the 15 percent emergency threshold per WHO classification, and the worst since the 2017 influx.
Compounding the crisis, frequent hazards such as fires, climate shocks, including floods and landslides, and insecurity in the camps, have further exacerbated the Rohingya’s vulnerability.
Thanks to the international support, WFP was able to increase rations at the beginning of 2024 and restore full rations in August to US$12.50 per person per month. For the first time, fortified rice was also added to the assistance package. However, to maintain full rations and sustain the rest of its operations into the coming year, WFP needs nearly US$80 million in funding.
“The contribution from the Republic of Korea is not only timely but critical – it has helped us save lives and alleviate hunger at a time when the Rohingya are facing unimaginable challenges. Thank you, RoK and the Korean people for your compassion and solidarity,” said Dom Scalpelli, WFP Country Director.
# # #
About WFP:
The United Nations World Food Programme is the world’s largest humanitarian organization saving lives in emergencies and using food assistance to build a pathway to peace, stability and prosperity for people recovering from conflict, disasters and the impact of climate change.
Follow us on X @wfp_bangladesh, Facebook @WFPinBangladesh, Instagram @wfp_bangladesh