Rohingya refugees face challenges under WFP’s new ‘needs-based’ food assistance

Highlights:

• WFP rolls out tiered food aid for 1.2m Rohingyas
• Cox's Bazar receives $7-$12 
• Bhasan Char gets $8-$13
• Officials cite funding gaps, rising numbers

The World Food Programme (WFP) has rolled out a new needs-based food distribution for Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh, a move that has raised concerns over survival and fairness in Cox's Bazar and Bhasan Char camps already strained by dwindling international support.

Nearly 1.2 million people will now receive aid based on household vulnerability as the UN body began implementing its Targeting and Prioritization Exercise (TPE) from Wednesday, replacing the long-standing uniform allocation of $12 per person per month with a tiered system based on household-level food insecurity.

Under the new approach, food assistance is provided in three categories – $7, $10, and $12 per person per month in Cox's Bazar. In Bhasan Char, where prices are higher due to logistical costs, the amounts are slightly increased to $8, $11, and $13.

According to WFP's late-2025 analysis, while all Rohingya households remain food insecure, the severity of their conditions varies. 

Extremely food insecure households including child-headed families, elderly or female-headed households without an able-bodied adult male, and those with persons with disabilities will continue to receive the highest level of support. 

Highly food insecure households receive a moderate level, while households with some capacity to meet their food needs receive the lowest tier. Vulnerable groups also receive an extra $3 per person per month in fresh food vouchers to improve dietary diversity.

"This alignment reflects our continued commitment to the entire Rohingya community. We will still provide food assistance to everyone in the camps, but will target the highest levels of support to those who need it most," said Simone Parchment, WFP country director (a.i.). 

She added that even the lowest level of assistance remains sufficient to meet minimum food needs, stressing the system is not a cost-cutting measure but ensures fairness and effectiveness. 

WFP also consulted Rohingya communities during the TPE process, with community sensitisation ongoing since March.

Despite these assurances, the rollout has raised dissatisfaction across camps. Many refugees say the reduced allocations are inadequate, particularly for large families with no income. Lal Mati, a 45-year-old refugee of Ukhiya, said it is impossible to support his 12-member family with the lowest tier of assistance. 

"We have no way to earn. How can we survive like this?" she said. 

Abdul Shukkur, 60, from Camp-3, said there is confusion over how households are being categorised. "They say we can complain, but there is no clear process," he added.

Residents also reported changes in the food basket. Items such as rice, lentils, oil, sugar, and onions, previously more accessible, are now limited, forcing families to spend more to meet basic needs. 

Raiju, 20, said, "Earlier we received enough food items, but now it has decreased a lot. How will we manage for the whole month?" 

Chenuara Begum, 22, said they are compelled to buy essential goods from outside markets, which is increasingly difficult. Mohammad Idris, 24, warned that the reduction could have broader consequences. "Earlier there was at least minimum food security. Now even that is uncertain. Many may be forced into crime," he said. 

Nurul Islam, 45, echoed similar concerns, saying current assistance is insufficient and may push people toward desperate actions.

Rohingya leaders have also raised concerns. Mohammad Zubair, chairman of the Arakan Rohingya Society for Peace and Human Rights, said categorising assistance could be perceived as discriminatory, increasing crime and tension with host communities.

Officials, however, say the move is driven by necessity. 

Refugee Relief and Repatriation Commissioner Md Mizanur Rahman said funding has dropped sharply over the years. 

"After 2017, annual funding was around $900 million. In 2025, it came down to about $400 million," he said, adding that nearly $1 billion is needed this year, though the level of funding remains uncertain. Bangladesh currently hosts around 1.2 million Rohingyas, including approximately 150,000 new arrivals since late 2023, while many others remain unregistered.

Md Morshedur Rahman Talukder, director of the Myanmar Wing at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said the introduction of priority categories was unavoidable. 

"Since international funding for the Rohingyas has declined, we have been compelled to introduce a priority category for food assistance. Otherwise, those who already have more may receive more, while those who truly need it may receive less," he told TBS. 

"However, we have instructed the concerned authorities to prepare the priority list very carefully," he added.

According to officials, the categorisation process uses data from the UN refugee agency, and households with some income sources are receiving comparatively lower assistance. 

WFP said that with recent contributions from the United States through the OCHA-managed Bangladesh Humanitarian Fund, along with support from the European Union, Australia, and other donors, it expects to continue uninterrupted food assistance until November 2026.

Beyond monthly food support, the agency provides nutrition assistance for children under five and pregnant and breastfeeding women, school feeding programmes, and resilience-building initiatives. It also supports host community farmers through market linkages and livelihood programmes.

Mizanur Rahman reiterated that repatriation remains the only sustainable solution, but acknowledged that the lack of progress over nearly a decade has made the situation increasingly complex.