Bangladesh

Help Rohingya Refugees Survive

Bangladesh is home to the largest refugee camp in the world – Cox’s Bazar. Over 80% of the refugees there rely on external aid to survive – but funding shortfalls could put this aid at risk.
WFP/Sayed Asif Mahmud/2021

WFP’s Refugee Response

  • 1.4M Rohingya refugees and Bangladeshis receive lifesaving food assistance
  • 188,660 Rohingya women and children are supported with nutrition services
  • 260,000 schoolchildren across 3,500 learning centers in Cox’s Bazar and Bhasan Char receive fortified biscuits

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Make a difference in Bangladesh

Refugees are Fighting for Their Lives

Nearly eight years have passed since violence first erupted in Myanmar and 1 million Rohingya refugees fled across the border into Bangladesh. Today, these refugees remain entirely dependent on humanitarian assistance to survive.

Causes of Hunger

A woman is carrying a water vessel WFP/Sayed Asif Mahmud

The Evolution of the Refugee Crisis

WFP’s Work in Bangladesh

Since we began working in Bangladesh in 1974, we have helped more than 155 million people. Today, we continue to provide lifesaving food assistance to communities facing extreme levels of hunger.
Bangladesh, Balukhali refugee camp, Ukhiya, Cox’s Bazar. 13 March 2018.

The recent violence in Myanmar’s northern Rakhine State has led to mass population displacement both within the country and across the border into Bangladesh. Hundreds of thousands of people have found refuge in makeshift settlements in the area of Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh, where they live in extremely precarious and deteriorating conditions.

90,000 people are enrolled in WFP’s e-voucher programme, under which they receive a monthly entitlement on a pre-paid debit card. They can use this in allocated shops to buy 19 different types of food, including rice, lentils, fresh vegetables, eggs and dried fish.

In the Photo: Nur Jahan (25) with her food assistance card in a food shop.  Her husband died and she has three children. 

Photo: WFP/Kauser Haider
Food Vouchers
Most camp residents get food aid in the form of a voucher, which they redeem at outlets that function like grocery stores, providing rice, lentils, oil, eggs, spices and vegetables. It’s a significant step toward restoring their health and their dignity.
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High-energy biscuits.
Biscuits
Fortified biscuits are distributed to over 260,000 schoolchildren in camps and host communities through take-home rations. The biscuits are fortified with 15 essential vitamins and contain 450 calories, offering a quick meal in emergencies.
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WFP engineers are working with their partners around-the-clock to mitigate the impact of flash floods and landslides.
Engineering
An engineering project between WFP, IOM and UNHCR helped to build safer, new land for refugees living in precarious areas of the camp. Infrastructure is critical for those who are at heightened risk of landslides and flooding.
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man and boy sit with WFP bags of food
Food Stocks
WFP has prepositioned food stocks that can be deployed immediately when a disaster strikes. In March 2021, WFP was able to assist over 60,000 people affected by a massive fire in the camps within 24 hours – thanks to prepositioned stocks.
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Lastest News

WFP Gears up to Support People in Myanmar and Bangladesh as Cyclone Mocha Approaches