Japan contributes $6.7m to WFP for Rohingya and host communities in Cox’s Bazar
According to the press release, the funding will enable WFP to provide lifesaving food assistance to Rohingya refugees and nutrition services to pregnant and breastfeeding women, as well as children under five.
The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) has received a new contribution of $6.7 million from the Government of Japan to support Rohingya refugees and host community farmers in Cox's Bazar, said a press release today (5 March).
H E Mr Saida Shinichi, Ambassador of Japan to Bangladesh, said Japan remains committed to supporting vulnerable populations in Bangladesh, including Rohingya refugees and their host communities.
He added that the partnership with WFP aims to improve food security, nutrition and the wellbeing of Rohingya families, particularly women and children, while also assisting Bangladeshis in addressing challenges related to climate change and market access.
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According to the press release, the funding will enable WFP to provide lifesaving food assistance to Rohingya refugees and nutrition services to pregnant and breastfeeding women, as well as children under five. WFP will also strengthen smallholder farmers in host communities through aggregation centres.
These centres consolidate agricultural produce and improve access to local markets and humanitarian supply chains, providing fresh vegetables, eggs and rice to Rohingya families.
Rohingya families receive monthly food vouchers to purchase essentials such as rice, lentils and oil, along with fresh vegetables and protein-rich foods at designated outlets. Nutrition activities include malnutrition prevention and treatment, specialised nutrition products, growth monitoring, nutrition education and behaviour change communication for pregnant women, breastfeeding mothers and young children.
The press release added that in host communities, the funding will help repair agricultural infrastructure damaged by floods and cyclones, restoring supply routes for local farmers. Aggregation centres will also be equipped with cold storage and modern food processing facilities to improve the quality and value of locally produced food.
Since early 2024, nearly 150,000 additional Rohingya have fled to Cox's Bazar due to intensified fighting in Myanmar's Rakhine State, bringing the total population to nearly 1.2 million. Despite rising needs, reduced international support has placed the humanitarian response at risk. WFP faces a $150 million funding gap, and services could face major disruptions from April 2026 if additional support is not secured.
Simone Parchment, WFP Bangladesh Country Director, said the funding from Japan is both timely and critical. She expressed gratitude for Japan's long-standing support of the Rohingya and host communities, and urged other donors to step up to safeguard the lives and dignity of vulnerable populations.
Since the beginning of the emergency in August 2017, Japan has contributed over $260 million to WFP and other UN agencies and NGOs in support of Rohingya humanitarian efforts, including this latest donation.
