The Devastating Consequences of UN’s Food Ration Cuts on Rohingyas in Bangladesh Camps

UN Cuts Food Rations for Rohingya Refugees in Bangladesh Camps

Overview of the Situation

The United Nations World Food Programme has reduced food rations for Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh from $12 per month to just $8 a month. This move, which is adding to the already harsh conditions in which the refugees are living, could force them to return to danger in Myanmar. The punishment for those who refuse to leave is acute malnutrition, infant mortality, violence, and even death, which would present a grave humanitarian crisis.

Historical Parallels

This is not the first time food ration cuts have been used as a way to force Rohingya refugees to leave Bangladesh. In 1978, the Bangladesh government withheld food from homeless Rohingya refugees to force them back to Myanmar, where they were subjected to persecution. At that time, the Rohingya refugees were kept in contemptible camps in Bangladesh’s Cox’s Bazar area and were not allowed to work, which meant they depended on food rations to survive. Between November 15, 1978 and December 31, 1978, 2,000 Rohingya refugees were returning to Myanmar every three days, the most significant rate specified in the July agreement between the two countries. By the end of March 1979, more than 107,000 Rohingya had returned to Myanmar, but more than 11,900 had died.

Current Situation

UN special rapporteurs have warned that these food ration cuts will have “devastatingly predictable” consequences, and some refugees might be compelled to risk their lives at sea rather than face hunger and even death in the camps. The situation is even worse because Bangladesh authorities have imposed escalating restrictive measures, and the refugees are living in squalid, overcrowded conditions that are breeding grounds for disease and violence.

Advice and Editorial

This is a dire situation, and Myanmar is far from safe for Rohingya refugees. Therefore, Bangladesh should ease restrictions on the refugees and allow them to earn money to buy food, which would help prevent another horrific death toll. International donors, too, have a responsibility not to repeat history by withholding funding and aid. Still, instead, they should provide emergency funding to ensure that the refugees get adequate food and services.

The current situation poses an existential question that should be answered by the global community. Do we let this humanitarian crisis become worse and turn a blind eye to it, or do we act now to prevent a repeat of history? The consequences of failing to act will result in more deaths and suffering of the Rohingya people. The world needs to act quickly and decisively to provide emergency funding, allow aid to reach the refugees, and give them the right to work and move freely.

Conclusion

The Rohingya refugees have been subjected to unimaginable violence in Myanmar and persecution in Bangladesh. The inhumane treatment of these refugees is a grave violation of their human rights and dignity. As global citizens, we have a responsibility to act. Emergency funding should be allocated to ensure the refugees get adequate food and necessary services, while Bangladesh should lift its restrictions on the refugees to enable them to work and move as they wish. Failure to act may risk making history repeat itself, leading to the loss of precious human lives.

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