The Trump administration announced on Thursday, March 27th, that it will provide US$73 million in new financial aid to Rohingya refugees through the United Nations World Food Programme. This comes amidst concerns that aid cuts could worsen the crisis for the world's largest stateless population.
"This food and nutrition support through @WFP will provide critically needed food and nutrition assistance for more than one million people," US State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce said in a post on X. "It is important that our international partners engage with sharing the burden with life-saving assistance such as this."
The new funding comes as the Trump administration has made sweeping cuts to foreign assistance as part of its "America First" agenda. Two UN agencies had warned that a funding deficit would curb rations for the Rohingya in Bangladesh who have fled violence in neighboring Myanmar for the past eight years.
Washington had been the largest provider of aid to the Rohingya refugees, contributing nearly US$2.4 billion since 2017. However, the recent freeze on funds after Trump took office in January has forced at least five hospitals to reduce services.
10 Comments
Muchacha
We cannot stand by and watch as the Rohingya suffer. We must take action to help them.
Africa
The Trump administration's "America First" agenda is putting vulnerable people at risk. This is unacceptable.
Eugene Alta
Cutting aid is not the way to solve the Rohingya crisis. It will only make things worse.
Martin L King
The US must do more to help the Rohingya. This is a humanitarian crisis, and we cannot ignore it.
Eugene Alta
America was once a leader in helping refugees, but now we're turning our backs on them. This is shameful.
Bermudez
The US is a compassionate country, and we should be helping those in need. This aid is a reflection of that.
Habibi
Cutting aid is not the answer. We need to find a long-term solution to this crisis.
Bermudez
The Trump administration is taking a strong stance on human rights, and this is a good example of that. This is the kind of leadership we need.
Bella Ciao
The Rohingya are fleeing violence and persecution, and they deserve our help. This administration is failing them.
Coccinella
The Rohingya are in desperate need of help, and this aid will make a real difference in their lives.