The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) has announced that it will reduce food rations for approximately one million Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh starting next month due to a lack of funds. The food aid cuts are set to halve the monthly food vouchers from $12.50 to just $6.00 per person, exacerbating the already dire situation for this persecuted and stateless community.

The Rohingya, who have sought refuge in squalid camps in Bangladesh after fleeing a brutal military crackdown in Myanmar in 2017, have already faced severe hardship due to previous aid cuts. The overcrowded settlements are struggling with rampant malnutrition, and the dwindling support leaves many of the refugees highly dependent on the limited humanitarian aid available.

In a letter issued by WFP on Wednesday, the agency cited “severe funding shortfalls” as the reason for the ration cuts. The letter further stated, “Unfortunately, we have still not received sufficient funding, and cost-saving measures alone are not enough to meet the needs of the refugees.”

Md. Shamsud Douza, a senior official from Bangladesh’s refugee agency, confirmed that a meeting with community leaders is scheduled for next week to discuss the impact of the cuts.

This announcement comes just days before UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres is set to visit Bangladesh to meet with Rohingya refugees during the Muslim fasting month of Ramadan. Guterres’ visit is expected to highlight the ongoing struggles of the Rohingya population and the urgent need for international assistance.

The 2017 military crackdown in Myanmar forced around 750,000 Rohingya to flee to Bangladesh, where they shared harrowing stories of murder, rape, and arson. This event has led to ongoing UN investigations into potential genocide.

Despite the immense refugee population, Bangladesh has faced challenges in providing adequate support. Prospects for a large-scale return of refugees to Myanmar or resettlement elsewhere remain remote. Rohingya refugees living in camps near Cox’s Bazar are not allowed to seek employment, making them entirely dependent on humanitarian aid to survive.

In search of a better life, many refugees have attempted dangerous sea journeys, with over 250 Rohingya reaching Indonesia in January alone.

The latest food ration cuts highlight the continuing plight of the Rohingya, who are facing an increasingly uncertain future. With funding shortfalls continuing to jeopardize the humanitarian efforts, the international community faces mounting pressure to address the needs of these vulnerable refugees.