WFP TO INCREASE FOOD VOUCHER VALUE FOR ALL ROHINGYA REFUGEES IN COX’S BAZAR
DHAKA – The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) is gearing up to restore its critical food assistance for the entire Rohingya population in Cox’s Bazar. Starting 1 January 2024, WFP will increase the value of its monthly food voucher from US$8 to US$10 per person.
In addition to increasing the value of its food voucher, WFP will gradually distribute locally fortified rice to the Rohingya population, starting in 1 or 2 camps and eventually extending to all camps in Cox’s Bazar and in Bhasan Char Island.
“The year 2023 has been a tumultuous one for the Rohingya in Bangladesh, who lived through multiple fire outbreaks, cyclones, and, for the first time, ration cuts,” said Dom Scalpelli, WFP Country Director in Bangladesh. “The rapid deterioration of the food and nutrition situation in the camps is extremely worrying. Through all this, the donor community stood with the Rohingya – it's all thanks to its generous contributions we can now boost the voucher value and add locally fortified rice to WFP’s food assistance package.”
A sharp decline in resources led to a reduction in the value of WFP’s food voucher in 2023. In March, the voucher value for refugees was reduced from US$12 to US$10. A further reduction—down to US$8 —was implemented in June.
WFP’s monitoring has shown a sharp decrease in food consumption. The number of people struggling to have acceptable food consumption shot up from 79 percent in June to 90 percent by November 2023. The nutritional situation, particularly among children, is also worrying. Global acute malnutrition (GAM) has risen to 15.1 percent - the highest since the onset of the 2017 influx, exceeding the emergency threshold of 15 percent, according to WHO emergency classification.
This past year, the refugees endured multiple fires and cyclones, monsoon floods, and landslides. Their vulnerability has further deepened due to the rising violence and insecurity in the camps, as well as human trafficking. As of 30 November 2023, 3,468 Rohingya have embarked on a risky boat journey; almost half are women and children.
“We remain fully committed to the Rohingya while supporting vulnerable Bangladeshis who have so generously hosted the Rohingya over the years. We are immensely grateful to all our donors for their unwavering support, and we count on them to step up even further in 2024 to ensure we can provide the Rohingya with a full and nutritious ration,” added Scalpelli.
WFP currently has a funding gap of US$61 million to increase the food ration to the full amount, now US$12.5 with fortified rice added.
# # #
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