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The Trump administration has announced a new financial aid package of $73 million to support Rohingya refugees through the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP).
The funding aims to provide vital food and nutrition assistance to over a million displaced individuals, amid growing concerns that aid cuts could exacerbate the plight of 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,” U.S. State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce stated in a post on X.
The United States is providing $73 million in new assistance for Rohingya refugees. This food and nutrition support through @WFP will provide critically needed food and nutrition assistance for more than one million people. It is important that our international partners engage…
Advertisement · Scroll to continue— Tammy Bruce (@statedeptspox) March 27, 2025
“It is important that our international partners engage with sharing the burden with life-saving assistance such as this.”
Concerns Over Funding Cuts and Their Impact
The announcement comes against the backdrop of sweeping reductions in foreign assistance under President Donald Trump’s “America First” agenda.
His administration has prioritized slashing federal spending, leading to the dismantling of key U.S. government programs, including those supporting global humanitarian aid.
Two United Nations agencies had recently warned that a funding shortfall would lead to food ration cuts for Rohingya refugees residing in Bangladesh.
The consequences of such cuts could include rising hunger, restricted access to essential healthcare, and increased crime as refugees struggle to survive.
Since 2017, the United States has been the largest donor to Rohingya refugee aid efforts, contributing nearly $2.4 billion, according to the State Department.
However, the Trump administration’s decision to freeze funds after taking office in January has already led to the closure or reduction of services in at least five hospitals that serve the refugee population.
The Future of U.S. Foreign Aid Under Trump
The administration’s broader moves to cut foreign aid have raised alarm.
Trump and his billionaire ally Elon Musk have taken steps to dismantle the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), shifting its remaining functions under the State Department.
This restructuring has resulted in the firing of hundreds of staff and contractors, as well as the termination of billions of dollars in global aid programs that millions rely on.
Despite these changes, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio granted a waiver in February, ensuring that life-saving assistance and essential administrative costs could still be covered where necessary.
The administration official overseeing USAID’s restructuring had reportedly suggested phasing out aid for the Rohingya altogether, according to a recent Reuters report.
The latest funding announcement provides a temporary reprieve, but concerns remain about the long-term sustainability of U.S. assistance to one of the world’s most vulnerable populations.
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