Humanitarian Crisis Deepens as Funding Shortfalls Threaten Over 1 Million Rohingya Refugees

More than 1.2 million Rohingya refugees living in Bangladesh face a critical decline in essential services as international humanitarian funding fails to keep pace with the needs of the world’s largest refugee settlement. According to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), the combination of stagnant global donations, rising food insecurity, and the ongoing instability in Myanmar has created a precarious environment where over 35 percent of households now rely entirely on external assistance for survival.

Why Is Humanitarian Funding Declining?

The humanitarian response in Cox’s Bazar is currently grappling with a significant reduction in financial support from major international donors. While the international community contributed approximately $5.42 billion between 2017 and 2025, recent appeals reflect a downward trend. In May 2026, the UNHCR and the Government of Bangladesh launched an appeal for $710.5 million, a 26 percent decrease from the previous year’s target.

This shortfall is largely attributed to “donor fatigue” and shifting geopolitical priorities, which have seen historically large contributors, including the United States, reduce their financial commitments. As these funds dry up, the World Food Programme (WFP) has been forced to shift toward a tiered, needs-based food assistance model. While the WFP maintains that this approach ensures equity for the most vulnerable, local officials, including Bangladesh’s Refugee Relief and Repatriation Commissioner Mohammad Mizanur Rahman, have warned that reduced rations may lead to a deterioration of law and order within the camps.

How Do Funding Cuts Impact Daily Life?

The reduction in aid has direct consequences for the health and safety of the Rohingya population. With limited access to sustainable income, many refugees are trapped in a cycle of dependency. According to UNHCR data, only 23 percent of households earn income through cash-for-work programs, leaving the vast majority vulnerable to even minor fluctuations in aid delivery.

The impact is most visible in the collapse of basic healthcare infrastructure. The International Rescue Committee (IRC) reports that a major measles outbreak has spread across 58 of Bangladesh’s 64 districts, with over 34,600 suspected cases and 200 confirmed deaths. Hasina Rahman, the IRC Bangladesh Director, points to the lack of resources for routine vaccinations and community health workers as the primary driver of this health crisis. Without consistent funding, the camps—already characterized by overcrowding and poor sanitation—remain high-risk zones for infectious diseases.

What Are the Risks of Continued Inaction?

The lack of a long-term solution for the Rohingya, who remain stateless and without legal recognition in Myanmar, has pushed many to seek dangerous alternatives. The year 2025 was the deadliest on record for sea crossings, with roughly one in seven refugees attempting the voyage across the Andaman Sea and the Bay of Bengal reported missing or dead.

The trend has continued into 2026, with over 2,800 individuals attempting these journeys in the first half of the year alone. These voyages are often facilitated by human traffickers and involve extreme risks, yet many refugees view them as a necessary gamble due to the lack of economic opportunity and physical security in the camps. As humanitarian assistance shrinks, the pressure to flee becomes a survival strategy, further highlighting the disconnect between current funding levels and the reality of life in exile.

Key Facts on the Rohingya Refugee Situation

• Refugee Population: Over 1.2 million Rohingya reside in Bangladesh, primarily in the Cox’s Bazar region.
• Food Security: WFP food assistance now utilizes a tiered model, with monthly transfers ranging from $7 to $12 per person.
• Mortality Trends: 2025 saw the highest mortality rate for refugee sea journeys in the world, with nearly 900 people dead or missing.
• Health Crisis: The IRC reports over 34,600 suspected measles cases as of April 2026, exacerbated by gaps in immunization services.

The path forward remains tied to the goal of a voluntary, safe, and dignified return to Myanmar. However, as Rania Dagash-Kamara of the WFP noted, humanitarian aid is not a permanent solution. Until the political conditions in Myanmar allow for repatriation, the international community faces the challenge of sustaining a population that has been displaced for nearly a decade while simultaneously addressing the urgent health and security needs of the host communities in Bangladesh.