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WFP welcomes new contribution from the UK government to support Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh

DHAKA — The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) has welcomed a new contribution of GBP 1.1 million (US$1.4 million) from the UK government for its life-saving food assistance for Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh. This contribution follows an earlier GBP 8.7 million (US$11.6 million) allocation in 2025 for WFP’s Rohingya response.

‘’The UK is proud to continue supporting WFP’s vital work for Rohingya refugees, ensuring families have access to nutritious food and essential services,” said James Goldman, the British Deputy High Commissioner to Bangladesh and Development Director at the British High Commission in Dhaka. “Together, we will keep working to provide the essentials they need and build hope for a better future. This support will also directly benefit Bangladesh’s economy by sourcing goods locally from suppliers within host communities.”

Through an e-voucher system, WFP supports the entire Rohingya community — now nearly 1.2 million people — with lifesaving food assistance. Families receive a US$12 per person per month entitlement to purchase a variety of staple and fresh food items. In addition, WFP provides nutrition support to prevent and treat malnutrition for children under 5 and pregnant and breastfeeding women; school feeding for 260,000 Rohingya children aged 3 to 14; and livelihoods interventions to strengthen resilience for both Rohingya and host community members.

“We are deeply grateful to the UK for continuing to stand with the Rohingya community and supporting WFP’s efforts to meet their essential needs,” said Simone Parchment, WFP Country Director a.i. “At a time when needs are rising and humanitarian funding is declining, the solidarity of the UK and the international community is what vulnerable communities like the Rohingya rely on to survive.”

Now in its ninth year, the Rohingya crisis is confronting severe challenges, including a sharp decline in funding. In 2026, WFP faces a US$ 147 million shortfall for its lifesaving food and nutrition programmes. Without new contributions, this assistance for 1.2 million Rohingya refugees could be disrupted as early as April.

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About WFP:

The United Nations World Food Programme is the world’s largest humanitarian organization saving lives in emergencies and using food assistance to build a pathway to peace, stability and prosperity for people recovering from conflict, disasters and the impact of climate change.

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Topics

Bangladesh United Kingdom Refugees and migration Funding Partnerships

Contact

For more information please contact:

Kun Li, WFP Bangladesh, Mobile: +880 1322846137, Email: kun.li@wfp.org