The United Nations World Food Programme's (UN WFP's) plan to reduce food ration for the Rohingya refugees in Cox's Bazar by more than half from next month is highly alarming. Originally the allocation was $12.50 (Tk1,515) per person per month for the 1.2 million refugees who fled from Myanmar to take shelter in Bangladesh. But in 2023, due to severe fund crisis, the ration was slashed to $8.0 and from April 1 next, it will be cut down to $6.0 (Tk726). The crisis of fund has become acuter with US President Donald Trump suspending USAID financial assistance.
Funded entirely by voluntary contributions, the WFP provides assistance to 150 million vulnerable people across the globe. With the freeze on the USAID that contributed 80 per cent of the fund for the Rohingya, the following reduction in UK aid spending from 0.5 per cent of GDP to 0.3 per cent in tandem has made the WFP's task to feed the Rohingya and refugees elsewhere more difficult than ever before. From April, the WFP will also be forced to provide for only 820,000 down from last year's 2.2 million per month with food and cash assistance.
The WFP's attempt to raise the aid money did not succeed and Bangladesh's appeal to the US administration not to cut USAID fund for the Rohingya fell on deaf ears. For Bangladesh now struggling to get over the political imbroglio and economic crisis, the Rohingya refugees now prove to be the proverbial last straw on the camel's back. This country has counted costs on account of extra demographic strain on its limited land, friction between the unwelcome guests and local hosts, deterioration of law and order because of infiltration of militants and elements with criminal records, environmental degradation and the combined adverse impact on its economy.
Ironically, it is the big powers which are not able to see eye to eye each other have perpetuated the problem by pampering the junta government in Myanmar because of the eagerness to consolidate their stake in the abundant resources in that country. If Bangladesh becomes a victim by default, it is none of their concern. They have, however, lavishly praised the country for playing the role of a good host to the refugees. International politics can stoop as low as is unthinkable when it comes to serving self interests of the big players. The so-called staunch defenders of democratic values, principles and human rights have no qualm about supporting the most brutal regimes outrageously violating what they preach as sacrosanct.
Now they are refusing to share the burden on a country, which is precisely their own making, not that of the poor host. True, the economic downturn in the donor countries has compelled them to tighten their belts. But the poorer countries have not only done so but also were made to swallow the bitter pill. The UN has been reduced to a toothless tiger in the face of aggressive and selfish foreign policies pursued by the big brothers and their stooges. Thus the Rohingya in Myanmar, the Palestinians in their homeland, the Ukrainians, the Sudanese and Syrians find themselves in a most hostile environment, an outcome of murky politics marked also by a double standard.
The ration cut is likely to have both short-term and long-term devastating impacts on the Rohingya in the form malnutrition, gender-based discrimination and violence within the refugee community in the camp. Their failure to meet their basic requirements will not only increase their insecurity and hopelessness but also make them desperate enough to go the extra length---not ruling out attempts at obtaining illegal citizenship or embarking on clandestine migration and involvement in criminal acts. The prospect of their return home in Myanmar will recede in the distant horizon, precipitating the tragic eventuality for an ethnic minority. It is a shame to a civilisation that claims to be highly advanced.
nilratanhalder2000@yahoo.com
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