Rohingya refugee food aid to be halved from next month, says UN
Rations will be halved for around one million Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh from next month due to a lack of funds, the United Nations food agency has said.
Huge numbers of the persecuted and stateless Rohingya community live in squalid relief camps in Bangladesh, most arriving after having fled from a 2017 military crackdown in neighboring Myanmar.
Successive aid cuts have already caused severe hardship among Rohingya in the overcrowded settlements, who are reliant on aid and suffer from rampant malnutrition.
The UN World Food Program (WFP) said in a letter on Wednesday that 'severe funding shortfalls' had forced a cut in monthly food vouchers from $12.50 to $6.00 per person.
'Unfortunately, we have still not received sufficient funding, and cost-saving measures alone are not enough,' the letter said.
Md. Shamsud Douza of Bangladesh's refugee agency told AFP that his office would meet community leaders next week to discuss the cuts.
A decision by US President Donald Trump's administration to make drastic cuts to foreign aid has sent shockwaves through humanitarian initiatives worldwide.
But WFP's Kun Li said that the United States remained a donor for Rohingya aid and the ration cuts reflected a 'funding gap across multiple sources'.
Funds raised were only half the $852 million sought by foreign aid agencies, she told AFP.
Wednesday's letter comes days before a visit by UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, who is slated to meet Rohingya refugees to mark the annual Muslim Ramadan fast.
The 2017 crackdown in Myanmar - now the subject of a UN genocide investigation -- sent around 750,000 Rohingya fleeing into neighboring Bangladesh with harrowing stories of murder, rape and arson.
Bangladesh has struggled to support its refugee population. The prospects of a wholesale return to Myanmar or resettlement elsewhere are remote.
Rohingya living in the camps around Cox's Bazar are not allowed to seek employment and are almost entirely dependent on limited humanitarian aid to survive.
Large numbers of refugees have attempted hazardous sea crossings in an effort to find a better life away from the camps, including more than 250 Rohingya who arrived in Indonesia in January.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Arab News
2 hours ago
- Arab News
Lebanon committed to renewing UNIFIL's mandate, says PM
BEIRUT: Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam on Tuesday reaffirmed Lebanon's commitment to renewing the mandate of the UN Interim Force in Lebanon to support UN Resolution 1701 and maintain border security. His statement followed an incident in which UNIFIL peacekeepers reported being confronted by rock-throwing individuals during a patrol in southern Lebanon, and described repeated attacks on its troops as 'unacceptable.' Salam condemned the attacks on UNIFIL, calling for the perpetrators to be apprehended and held accountable. He warned that such actions threatened southern Lebanon's stability and national interests, directing security agencies to refer the assailants to the judicial authorities. UNIFIL spokesman Andrea Tenenti said a Finnish soldier was slapped during Tuesday's confrontation. The Lebanese Foreign Ministry echoed his sentiments, urging prosecution under Lebanese and international law while reaffirming its support for UNIFIL's role in preserving peace and security. UNIFIL urged the Lebanese government to 'take all necessary measures to ensure that its forces perform their duties without any threat.' The peacekeepers said they conducted their mission in coordination with the Lebanese army and based on UNIFIL's mandate terms. UNIFIL reiterated that freedom of movement was a fundamental condition for implementing its mandate, including the ability to operate independently and impartially, as outlined in UN Resolution 1701. 'Any restriction on this freedom, whether during operational activities with or without the Lebanese Armed Forces, is a violation of this resolution,' the statement added. A supporter of the Iran-backed Hezbollah slapped a Finnish UNIFIL soldier on Tuesday. The incident occurred while a UNIFIL patrol was conducting search operations in an area between the towns of Deir Qanoun Al-Nahr and Al-Halloussiyah in the Tyre District, south of the Litani River. The assault represents the most serious incident in two weeks of mounting tensions between UNIFIL peacekeepers and individuals Hezbollah describes as 'locals.' The assault, which was captured on video by the protesters themselves and shared across social media platforms, occurred during disputes over UNIFIL's right to conduct inspections without Lebanese army escorts. The controversy emerged as the UN prepared to review the renewal of the peacekeeping mission's mandate. The next renewal is expected to be considered by the UN Security Council in August as the current mandate, extended on Aug. 28, 2024, expires on Aug. 31. Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri, a key Hezbollah ally, characterized Tuesday's incident differently, claiming it represented 'a conspiracy against international forces designed to harm them, Lebanon, and the south.' Tuesday's violence occurred after two separate patrol incidents. First, Hezbollah supporters blocked UNIFIL forces from entering private property in Bedias town without the Lebanese army, forcing the patrol's withdrawal. Later on, another UNIFIL unit approached private land along the Al-Halloussiyah to Deir Qanoun Al-Nahr road, again without military escort. Locals quickly mobilized, surrounding the international patrol and demanding its departure. Tensions peaked when one protester physically struck the UN soldier. Lebanese army units later intervened to restore calm and immediately launched a hunt for the assailant. Local witnesses expressed alarm at seeing Lebanese soldiers potentially confronting civilians. UNIFIL later clarified that its 'personnel used non-lethal measures in order to guarantee the protection of the patrol members and others.' Lebanese Armed Forces quickly arrived at the site and the patrol resumed its duties when the situation was brought under control. A witness said an argument ensued between locals and the Lebanese army after the latter began to hunt for the man who slapped the peacekeeper. The protesters argued that UN forces should not operate independently of Lebanese military supervision, while UNIFIL maintained that its operations complied with established protocols. Fares Souaid, the head of the Lady of the Mountain Gathering, warned that 'the cost of beating a UNIFIL soldier will be very high.' He added that Hezbollah members were 'unaware of the harm the party is causing them.' The incident was preceded by an Israeli drone striking shepherds in the border town of Shebaa. The Lebanese Ministry of Health later reported the strike had killed 'the citizen Mohammed Kanaan and his son, Wael, a soldier in the army. His second son, Hadi, was injured.' The number of Israeli violations since the ceasefire agreement of Nov. 27 has now reached 1,643 on land, 1,774 by air, and 88 by sea, a total of 3,505. Hezbollah media reported that these had resulted in 172 deaths and 409 people suffering injuries. The ceasefire agreement, which sought to end over a year of hostilities between Israel and Hezbollah, allows only Lebanese troops and UN peacekeepers in the south of the country.
Asharq Al-Awsat
6 hours ago
- Asharq Al-Awsat
Israel Deports Greta Thunberg After Gaza-Bound Ship She Was on Was Seized
Israel deported activist Greta Thunberg on Tuesday, a day after the Gaza-bound ship she was on was seized by the Israeli military. Speaking upon arrival in Paris en route to her home country of Sweden, Thunberg called for the release of the other activists who were detained aboard the Freedom Flotilla. She described a "quite chaotic and uncertain" situation during the detention. The conditions they faced "are absolutely nothing compared to what people are going through in Palestine and especially Gaza right now," she said. The trip was meant to protest Israeli restrictions on aid to Gaza's population of over 2 million people after 20 months of war, according to the Freedom Flotilla Coalition, the group behind the journey. Thunberg calls on supporters to mobilize "We were well aware of the risks of this mission," Thunberg said. "The aim was to get to Gaza and to be able to distribute the aid." She said the activists would continue trying to get aid to Gaza. On Monday, US President Donald Trump called Thunberg "a young angry person" and recommended she take anger management classes. "I think the world needs a lot more young angry women," Thunberg said Tuesday in response. Thunberg said it appeared she was headed back to Sweden, hadn't had access to a phone in a few days and wanted a shower. The activists were held separately and some had trouble accessing lawyers, she added. Asked why she agreed to deportation, she said, "Why would I want to stay in an Israeli prison more than necessary?" Thunberg called on supporters to ask their governments "to demand not only humanitarian aid being let into Gaza but most importantly an end to the occupation and an end to the systemic oppression and violence that Palestinians are facing on an everyday basis." She said recognizing Palestine is "the very, very, very minimum" that governments can do to help. Thunberg was one of 12 passengers on the Madleen. Israeli naval forces seized the boat without incident early Monday about 200 kilometers (125 miles) off Gaza. The Freedom Flotilla Coalition, along with rights groups, said Israel's actions in international waters were a violation of international law. Israel rejects that charge, saying such ships intend to breach what it argues is a lawful naval blockade of Gaza. Israel viewed the ship as a publicity stunt, calling it the "selfie yacht" with a "meager" amount of aid that amounted to less than a truckload. Other activists face deportation The Freedom Flotilla Coalition said three activists, including Thunberg, had been deported along with a journalist. It said it had encouraged some to do it so they could speak freely about their experiences. Eight other passengers refused deportation and were in detention before their case is heard by Israeli authorities. Adalah, a legal rights group in Israel representing them, said they were expected to be brought before a court later Tuesday. "Their detention is unlawful, politically motivated and a direct violation of international law," the coalition said in a statement. It called for remaining passengers to be released without deportation and said their lawyers would demand that they be allowed to complete their journey to Gaza. Sabine Haddad, a spokeswoman for Israel's Interior Ministry, said the activists who were being deported Tuesday had waived their right to appear before a judge. Those who did not will face one and be held for 96 hours before being deported, she said. Rima Hassan, a French member of the European Parliament who is of Palestinian descent, was among the passengers. She has previously been barred from entering Israel because of her opposition to Israeli policies toward the Palestinians. It was not clear whether she was being immediately deported or detained. French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot said one of the detained French activists signed an expulsion order and would leave Tuesday. The other five refused. He said all the activists received consular visits. Sergio Toribio, a Spanish activist, slammed Israel's actions after he arrived in Barcelona. "It is unforgivable, it is a violation of our rights. It is a pirate attack in international waters," he told reporters. A longstanding blockade of Gaza Palestinians in Gaza are now almost completely dependent on international aid. Israel has imposed varying degrees of a blockade on Gaza since Hamas seized power from rival Palestinian forces in 2007. Israel says the blockade is needed to prevent Hamas from importing arms, while critics say it amounts to collective punishment of Gaza's Palestinian population. During the 20-month-long war in Gaza, Israel has restricted and sometimes blocked all aid into the territory, including food, fuel and medicine. Experts say that policy has pushed Gaza toward famine. Israel asserts that Hamas siphons off the aid to bolster its rule. Hamas-led fighters killed around 1,200 people, mostly civilians, in the Oct. 7 attack that ignited the war and took 251 hostages, most released in ceasefire agreements or other deals. Hamas still holds 55 hostages, more than half believed to be dead. Israel's military campaign has killed more than 54,000 Palestinians, according to the Gaza Health Ministry, which doesn't distinguish between civilians and combatants but has said women and children make up most of the dead. The war has destroyed vast areas of Gaza and displaced around 90% of the territory's population.
Asharq Al-Awsat
6 hours ago
- Asharq Al-Awsat
Iran Becoming More Aggressive in Nuclear Talks, Says Trump
US President Donald Trump told Fox News' Bret Baier that Iran is becoming "much more aggressive" in nuclear talks, the network said in a post on X on Tuesday. While Trump has said the next round of talks between the two countries would take place on Thursday, a senior Iranian official and a US official said Thursday was unlikely.
