South Korea donates $2m to support WFP’s Rohingya food aid in Bangladesh

The Republic of Korea has stepped up its support to the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) with a new contribution of US$2 million.

The timely funding enabled WFP to reach nearly 76,000 Rohingya and provide them with a full ration of US$12.50 for two months, according to a WFP press release.

“We are pleased that this latest contribution, along with Korea’s rice donation in July and August, has helped many Rohingya families meet their essential food needs. The Republic of Korea stands committed to easing the Rohingya’s plight and we hope more partners will join us in supporting them,” said PARK Young-sik, Ambassador of the Republic of Korea to Bangladesh.

In recent years, the Government of Korea through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has steadily contributed to WFP’s Rohingya food assistance in Bangladesh. In addition to food assistance, WFP has been supporting the population with nutrition, school feeding, resilience-building, and disaster risk reduction assistance, while also assisting host Bangladeshi communities in Cox’s Bazar with nutrition, livelihood support, and resilience-building.

Despite ongoing needs, humanitarian partners have been facing significant funding challenges, resulting in reduced assistance. In 2023, food rations had to be cut from US$12 to US$10 in March, then to US$8 in June. Following the ration cuts, WFP monitoring showed a sharp decline in food consumption among Rohingya families, with global acute malnutrition (GAM) rising to 15.1% – above the 15% emergency threshold per WHO classification, and the worst since the 2017 influx.

In addition, frequent hazards such as fires, climate shocks, including floods and landslides, and insecurity in the camps, have further deepened the Rohingya’s vulnerability.

Thanks to the international community, WFP was able to raise the ration at the beginning of 2024 and in August to restore the full ration to US$12.50 per person per month. Fortified rice was also added to the assistance package for the first time.  WFP needs nearly US$80 million in funding to sustain the full ration and the rest of its operations into the next year.

“The contribution from the Republic of Korea is not only timely but critical – it has helped us save lives and alleviate hunger at a time when the Rohingya are facing unimaginable challenges. Thank you, RoK and the Korean people for your compassion and solidarity,” said Dom Scalpelli, WFP Country Director.