A Humanitarian Crisis Worsened by Funding Crunch

Arakan Now – 11 June 2025

With the Rohingya crisis in Myanmar showing no signs of ending and the repatriation process in Bangladesh at a standstill, it is deeply concerning that only 19 percent of the funds required for Rohingya refugees this year has been secured—even after five months have passed. A total of $934 million is reportedly needed to support 1.5 million people—1.2 million Rohingya and 300,000 members of the host community—but only $180 million has been received to date.

This funding gap, largely due to the suspension of U.S. contributions, is worsening conditions in the camps, making it increasingly difficult for refugees to access essential services such as education and healthcare. Dozens of projects, including those related to health, family planning, nutrition, and education, have already been affected. Humanitarian organizations warn that the situation will deteriorate further unless funds are urgently released.

One clear example of the consequences is the declining number of general patients seeking treatment in the camps: from 372,000 in February to just 205,000 in April. In serious cases, many refugees are now forced to pay for medical treatment themselves—an option that is simply not possible for most. The funding cut has also severely impacted education, putting the future of 230,000 Rohingya children in Cox’s Bazar—and the livelihoods of hundreds of teachers from the host community who have been laid off—at serious risk. These learning centres also function as protection spaces for children, and their closure poses grave safety concerns.

Meanwhile, the lack of adequate shelter has been exacerbated by the onset of the monsoon rains, which have already damaged many homes. Providing shelter and basic services to the 150,000 Rohingya who have fled to Bangladesh in recent months has become increasingly difficult. According to a WFP update, another 50,000 may arrive by the end of the year, raising urgent humanitarian and logistical concerns.

Without access to basic services, refugees may be driven to flee the camps in desperation, risking dangerous journeys abroad. In such a vacuum, criminal activities in and around the camps may also increase, and incidents of gender-based violence could rise—leaving survivors without access to support or psychological care.

A UN official recently warned that there is only enough food to sustain the Rohingya population until October—a deeply alarming prospect. Access to food, education, and healthcare is a fundamental human right and must not be denied.

We urge the international community not to forget the plight of the Rohingya and to step forward with renewed commitment and support. The interim government, led by Professor Yunus, must use all available diplomatic channels to secure critical international assistance. At the same time, authorities must ensure that all aid received is distributed efficiently, transparently, and without waste.