The United Kingdom has announced new financial support for life-saving food assistance for Rohingya refugees through the World Food Programme, at a time when severe funding shortages threaten to disrupt aid operations in the camps.
According to an official statement, the UK government provided GBP 1.1 million, equivalent to USD 1.4 million, in December 2025 to support World Food Programme food assistance for Rohingya refugees. The contribution follows an earlier allocation of GBP 8.7 million, equivalent to USD 11.6 million, provided by the UK in 2025 for Rohingya response efforts.
The funding will support WFP’s food assistance programme for Rohingya refugees living in camps, where nearly 1.2 million people rely on humanitarian aid for survival.
Under WFP’s current e-voucher system, Rohingya families receive food assistance worth USD 12 per person per month, allowing them to purchase essential and fresh food items. WFP also provides nutrition support for children under five and pregnant and lactating women, school feeding programmes for Rohingya children aged three to fourteen, and livelihood support activities for both Rohingya refugees and host community members.
James Goldman, Deputy High Commissioner and Development Director of the British High Commission in Bangladesh, said the UK remains committed to supporting WFP’s critical work for Rohingya refugees, noting that the assistance helps families access nutritious food and essential services while also benefiting local suppliers.
Simon Parchment, Acting Country Director of WFP Bangladesh, expressed gratitude for the UK’s continued support, stating that international solidarity is crucial as humanitarian needs increase while overall funding declines.
The Rohingya crisis, now entering its ninth year, continues to face serious challenges, particularly due to funding gaps. WFP has warned that it faces a shortfall of USD 147 million in 2026 to sustain its life-saving food and nutrition programmes. Without additional funding, disruptions to food assistance could begin as early as April.
Rohingya response
Rohingya community members welcomed the UK contribution, describing it as a critical lifeline amid worsening conditions in the camps.
“We are thankful and deeply grateful for this support,” a Rohingya community representative said. “This assistance helps our families survive at a time when food shortages and uncertainty are growing. We hope the international community continues to stand with us until we can live with safety, dignity, and rights.”
The Rohingya continue to depend almost entirely on humanitarian aid, as restrictions on movement and work leave most families without income, making sustained international support essential for their survival.
Source: World Food Programme
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