The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) has transitioned to a needs-based food assistance model for nearly 1.2 million Rohingya refugees residing in Cox’s Bazar and Bhasan Char.
The shift follows the implementation of a Targeting and Prioritisation Exercise (TPE), which identified that while the entire refugee population remains food insecure, the level of vulnerability varies significantly between households, read a press release issued Thursday.
Under this refined strategy, monthly food aid is now calibrated to meet specific household-level requirements.
Tiered assistance levels
According to WFP, monthly transfer values have been adjusted based on geographical and security needs.
In Cox’s Bazar, households classified as extremely food insecure will continue to receive $12 per person, while those in Bhasan Char will receive $13 to account for higher local market costs.
Highly food insecure households are set to receive $10 ($11 in Bhasan Char), and those categorised as food insecure will receive $7 ($8 in Bhasan Char). WFP’s food-gap analysis indicates that even the minimum transfer amount remains sufficient to cover basic nutritional requirements.
This prioritisation model aligns with global best practices for long-term humanitarian crises, ensuring that those facing the most significant obstacles – such as child-headed households, families led by women or the elderly without able-bodied adults, and households including persons with disabilities – receive the highest level of support.
“This alignment reflects our continued commitment to the entire Rohingya community,” said WFP Country Director Simone Parchment. She noted that while food assistance remains universal across the camps, the highest support levels are now targeted toward those in the most precarious positions.
Strategic alignment and funding
WFP clarified that the TPE was not prompted by funding shortfalls but was designed to foster a more equitable and proportionate distribution of aid.
The approach is consistent with the Joint Response Plan (JRP) for the Rohingya Refugee Crisis, providing a framework for effective aid delivery amidst global funding constraints.
To ensure community transparency, WFP consulted with Rohingya refugees during the analysis phase and has been conducting sensitisation programmes since 1 March.
Current operations are bolstered by recent contributions from the United States through the OCHA-managed Bangladesh Humanitarian Fund (BHF), alongside sustained support from the European Union, Australia, and other international donors.
This backing is expected to secure uninterrupted food assistance through November 2026.
Extended support and resilience
The programme encompasses the entire refugee population, including approximately 150,000 individuals who have arrived since 2024 after fleeing conflict in Myanmar’s Rakhine State.
Beyond direct food aid, WFP continues to provide critical nutrition support for children under five and pregnant or breastfeeding women, alongside school feeding initiatives and disaster-preparedness activities.
The agency also provides resilience support to host-community smallholder farmers by integrating them into local markets and WFP supply chains.
Parchment expressed gratitude for the solidarity of international partners, which has prevented any disruption to lifesaving services.
However, she cautioned that “sustained support remains essential” until a permanent solution is achieved to safeguard the dignity and stability of the Rohingya people.
