Rising Cases of Severe Acute Malnutrition Threaten Rohingya Children Amid Declining Humanitarian Aid

By: RO Maung Shwe

The number of children requiring emergency treatment for severe acute malnutrition (SAM) in the Rohingya refugee camps of Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh, has surged alarmingly. According to recent data, cases increased by 27 percent in February 2025 compared to the same period last year.

This sharp rise highlights the growing crisis as deteriorating conditions push more young children into life-threatening hunger.

A System Under Strain: Nutrition Services in the Rohingya Camps

To address the escalating malnutrition crisis, 46 Integrated Nutrition Facilities (INFs) and four Stabilization Centers have been established across the Rohingya camps. These facilities operate as “one-stop shops,” offering a comprehensive package of nutrition services, including:

• Outpatient Therapeutic Programs (OTP) for severe wasting
• Targeted Supplementary Feeding Programs (TSFP) for moderate wasting
• Blanket Supplementary Feeding Programs (BSFP) for broader nutritional support
• Maternal, Infant, and Young Child Feeding (MIYCF) counseling

Each refugee camp hosts at least one INF, with larger camps featuring additional satellite facilities to meet growing demands. Since 2020, these facilities have been the core of the nutrition response, supported by the Government of Bangladesh in collaboration with humanitarian organizations such as UNICEF, UNHCR, and the World Food Programme (WFP).

Despite these efforts, the increasing need for life-saving interventions is straining the system. In January 2025, cases of severe acute malnutrition rose by 25 percent compared to the previous year, climbing from 819 to 1,021 cases. The following month saw a further increase, rising from 836 to 1,062 cases—a 27 percent spike.

Factors Driving the Surge in Malnutrition

The worsening malnutrition crisis is being driven by several interrelated factors:

1. Environmental Challenges: Prolonged monsoon rains in 2024 exacerbated poor sanitation, leading to outbreaks of cholera, dengue, and severe diarrhea.
2. Food Insecurity: Continuous cuts to food rations over the past two years have severely impacted diet quality, increasing malnutrition risks.
3. Population Pressure: A rising number of families fleeing violence continue to seek refuge in the already overcrowded camps, increasing the strain on limited resources.

“For now, we can provide the services that Rohingya mothers come seeking, and that very sick children need. But as needs keep rising and funding declines, families are terrified of what will happen if food rations are cut further or if life-saving nutrition services stop,” said Rana Flowers, UNICEF Representative in Bangladesh.

UNICEF projects that 14,200 children will require treatment for severe acute malnutrition in 2025. Without sustained humanitarian support, the situation could rapidly worsen. Children suffering from SAM are 11 times more likely to die than their well-nourished peers if they do not receive timely intervention.

Voices from the Camps: The Struggle to Survive

For many Rohingya families, the threat of reduced funding is not an abstract concern—it is a matter of life and death. Nur Kayas Begum, a mother of six, including 4-year-old Asma Bibi, is one such caregiver. Asma is currently enrolled in the TSFP program at Camp 2W’s nutrition facility.

“My husband is disabled and cannot work. Our family relies entirely on the WFP’s E-Voucher outlets for food,” Nur explained. “Now, we hear that food rations will be cut in half next month. I fear my children will not receive proper meals or essential nutrition services. All my children, including Asma, have suffered from malnutrition. Without support, their condition will worsen.”

Another caregiver, Shomshida Khatun, a 36-year-old pregnant mother of five, also expressed her fears. Two of her children receive regular services from the Camp 6 Nutrition Center—one through the BSFP and the other through the TSFP.

“I have been receiving care since the first week of my pregnancy,” Shomshida shared. “The center used to be run by SARPV and is now operated by Gonoshasthaya Kendra with support from UNHCR. If the global community and donors do not provide more funding, we are in grave danger. Without nutrition services, I don’t know how my children will survive.”

“In the Rohingya refugee camps, many people, including children under five years old, pregnant women, and lactating mothers, receive nutritional services and essential food supplies such as Super Cereal, Super Cereal Plus, WSB, RUSF, RUTF, and other nutritional medicines.

However, due to funding shortages, people are at risk of suffering from malnutrition, which could lead to an increase in chronic diseases caused by the lack of adequate nutrition services. Nutrition services are especially vital for refugee children, as they do not have access to proper food.

The world should not remain silent during this critical situation, as many children will die from malnutrition if they cannot receive enough meals,” said a nutrition specialist.

The Urgent Need for Global Action

The humanitarian situation in the Rohingya refugee camps is at a breaking point. The combination of increasing malnutrition rates, environmental risks, and dwindling resources presents an urgent call to action for the global community.

“These families cannot yet safely return home, and they have no legal right to work. Sustained humanitarian support is not optional—it is essential,” emphasized Rana Flowers. “UNICEF is determined to stay and deliver for children, but without guaranteed funding, critical services will be at risk.”

Without immediate intervention and increased funding, thousands of Rohingya children face a future marked by hunger, disease, and death. The world cannot afford to turn its back on one of the most vulnerable populations.

Conclusion

The rising cases of severe acute malnutrition in the Rohingya refugee camps highlight an urgent humanitarian crisis. Despite the dedicated efforts of nutrition service providers, the increasing demand for life-saving treatment is outpacing available resources.

Without immediate and sustained funding from the global community, thousands of vulnerable children face life-threatening hunger and disease.

International donors, humanitarian organizations, and stakeholders must act swiftly to ensure that no child is left without the essential care they need to survive and thrive.