by Hafizur Rahman
Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh | April 2, 2026
The World Food Programme has introduced a new system to provide food assistance to Rohingya refugees in Cox’s Bazar and Bhasan Char, Bangladesh, under a plan known as the Targeting and Prioritization Exercise.
Around 1.2 million Rohingya refugees will receive food support through this system, which adjusts assistance based on the level of need among different families.
According to the agency, while all refugees are experiencing food shortages, some households are in more severe conditions. Under the new system, families identified as most vulnerable will receive 12 US dollars per person per month in Cox’s Bazar and 13 dollars in Bhasan Char.
Families assessed as having high needs will receive 10 dollars per person in Cox’s Bazar and 11 dollars in Bhasan Char. Other families will receive 7 dollars in Cox’s Bazar and 8 dollars in Bhasan Char.
The World Food Programme stated that even the lowest level of support is designed to meet basic food requirements. The system prioritizes groups considered most at risk, including children without parental care, women-led households, elderly individuals without support, and people with disabilities.
Officials said the approach aims to distribute limited resources more effectively while maintaining assistance for all refugees. The agency added that consultations were held with Rohingya communities before the system was introduced, and awareness activities have been ongoing since March.
With financial support from donors including the United States, the European Union, and Australia, the agency said food assistance is expected to continue without interruption until November 2026.
In addition to food distribution, the programme also provides nutrition support for children and mothers, school feeding initiatives, and disaster preparedness assistance.
The agency expressed appreciation to its partners while noting that sustained international support remains essential, as Rohingya refugees continue to depend on humanitarian assistance in the absence of a long-term solution.
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