Rohingyas get need-based food aid from WFP
The World Food Programme (WFP) has introduced a new needs-based food assistance system for Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh, aiming to better support the most vulnerable households.
Under its Targeting and Prioritization Exercise (TPE), WFP will provide monthly food assistance to nearly 1.2 million Rohingya refugees living in Cox’s Bazar and Bhasan Char.
The initiative marks a significant shift from uniform aid distribution to a more targeted approach based on household-level food security.
According to WFP, while all Rohingya refugees remain food insecure, the severity of food insecurity varies across households.
Under the revised system:Extremely food-insecure households will receive $12 per person per month in Cox’s Bazar ($13 in Bhasan Char), highly food-insecure households will receive $10 ($11 in Bhasan Char), food-insecure households will receive $7 ($8 in Bhasan Char).
WFP stated that even the lowest level of assistance is sufficient to meet minimum food requirements, based on its food gap analysis.
The approach prioritizes vulneRABle groups, including child-headed households, women- and elderly-led families without able-bodied adults, and households with persons with disabilities, ensuring they receive the highest level of support.
“This alignment reflects our continued commitment to the entire Rohingya community,” said Simone Parchment, acting Country Director of WFP. “While assistance will continue for all, higher levels of support will be directed to those who need it most.”
Although not driven by funding shortages, the TPE aims to improve the effectiveness and fairness of aid distribution, particularly in the context of global funding constraints.
The initiative also supports the broader Joint Response Plan for the Rohingya crisis. During the process, WFP engaged with Rohingya communities to better understand their needs, with awareness campaigns conducted since March 1.
With financial support from the United States, the European Union, Australia, and other donors, WFP expects to continue uninterrupted food assistance until November 2026.
In addition to food aid, WFP provides nutrition support for children under five and pregnant and breastfeeding women, school feeding programmes, and disaster preparedness initiatives.
The agency also supports local host communities by strengthening farmers’ access to markets and supply chains.
“WFP remains deeply grateful to its partners,” Parchment added. “However, continued support is essential to sustain lifesaving assistance until a long-term solution for the Rohingya crisis is achieved.”
This approach contributes to the overall effectiveness of the Joint Response Plan (JRP) for the Rohingya Refugee Crisis, particularly in a context of global funding constraints that require careful prioritization of lifesaving assistance.
During the TPE, WFP consulted Rohingya communities to understand their perspectives on food security needs, which were then incorporated in the analysis.
Community-level sensitizations have been ongoing since 1 March to facilitate understanding and acceptance.
The TPE, supported by recent US contributions via the OCHA-managed Bangladesh Humanitarian Fund and continued backing from the European Union, Australia and other donors, will enable WFP to maintain uninterrupted food assistance for the Rohingya population until November 2026.
In addition to providing monthly food assistance to the entire Rohingya population, including close to 150,000 new arrivals since 2024 fleeing intensified conflict in Myanmar’s Rakhine State – WFP delivers essential nutrition support for children under five and pregnant and breastfeeding women, school feeding programmes, and resilience and disaster preparedness activities to help families meet essential needs while strengthening community capacity.
Host community smallholder farmers also receive resilience support, gaining stronger linkages with local markets as well as with WFP’s food assistance supply chains for the Rohingya response.
“WFP is deeply grateful for the steadfast support of all our partners. It is because of their solidarity and generosity that our lifesaving assistance will have no interruptions in the coming months.
However, sustained support remains essential,” added Parchment. “Until a lasting solution can be found, the Rohingya need our continued support to save lives and safeguard dignity and stability.”
