WFP warns of looming Rohingya food crisis, urges global action

Arakan Now | 6 September 2025

Deputy Executive Director (DED) and Chief Operating Officer (COO) of the World Food Programme (WFP), Carl Skau, has warned that urgent action is needed to address the situation facing Rohingya refugees, with WFP’s funding expected to run out by the end of November.

"They [the Rohingya] have nowhere else to turn. They cannot work, they cannot integrate, and they certainly cannot return to Rakhine given the current security situation there – they are 100% dependent on the assistance we provide,” Skau told UNB in an interview during his recent visit to Bangladesh.

“And we know from experience that when we withdraw or shrink our assistance, people are forced to turn to negative coping mechanisms,” he warned.

Funding shortfall

Skau praised the generosity of the Bangladeshi people and the host communities in Cox’s Bazar, emphasizing that WFP sources its food locally to benefit the Bangladeshi economy.

“We always invest in the host communities. The food we provide for the Rohingya is procured in Bangladesh, including Cox's Bazar, making sure there is a return for the Bangladeshi economy as part of our response,” he said.

“But our money is running out. We don't have the budget to continue our operation beyond the end of November.”

Skau said one reason for his visit to Bangladesh was to meet with government officials, donors, and partners, as well as WFP teams on the ground, whom he described as “the lifeline.”

He stressed that WFP provides food for the entire camp population every month, and a funding gap could have serious humanitarian and security implications.

Diversifying the funding base

Skau said WFP is exploring various ways to address the crisis, including expanding its donor base.

He noted that the United States currently covers nearly 60% of WFP’s Rohingya response budget, but more support is needed from other countries.

“We're engaging many countries in the region, including ASEAN members, as well as Gulf nations like Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the Emirates, and members of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC),” he said.

“The Rohingya are not responsible for this situation, and they should count on the support of the international community.”

WFP estimates it needs $60 million over the next six months to avoid disruptions to food and nutrition assistance for the Rohingya, and $167 million over the next 12 months. The agency has called on international partners to urgently mobilize resources to prevent a worsening crisis.

Efficiency and upcoming UN conference

Skau said WFP is committed to efficiency and self-reliance initiatives, noting that 82 cents of every dollar goes directly to supporting Rohingya refugees. WFP’s Dhaka office has identified $19 million in savings through cost-cutting measures.

He also pointed to the upcoming high-level conference on the situation of Rohingya Muslims and other minorities in Myanmar, to be held on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in New York on September 30.

“I think the positive and supportive messages that came from the government will be important in setting the stage for that very important meeting in New York,” Skau said.

He acknowledged that global attention and resources are stretched thin due to crises in Gaza, Ukraine, and Sudan, but emphasized the need to keep Bangladesh and the Rohingya situation high on the international agenda.

“We need to work together with the government to knock on doors and ensure Bangladesh and the Rohingya situation remain high on the agenda, and hence attract the necessary resources,” Skau added.

“But I also want to manage expectations – because it is a difficult environment, and overall WFP funding globally has shrunk by 40%. Across the countries, we are making dramatic cuts to our programmes.”

(Source: Dhaka Tribune)