STRUGGLE TO FEED ROHINGYAS
Over 2.36 lakh yet to be reached
Over 50pc of appealed fund still to come
HUMAYUN KABIR BHUIYAN
Fifth month into the crisis, there is still a struggle to feed all the Rohingya Muslims, who had to take shelter in Coxs Bazar to escape the atrocities of the Myanmar security forces, mainly due to the unavailability of fund.The World Food Programme (WFP), the food-assistance branch of the United Nations, is responsible to ensure food security to the Rohingyas and some parts of the host community, and it is seeking for additional fund immediately to be able to reach out to the targeted population with required food, according to sources at the government and international organisations working on the ground in Coxs Bazar.
According to the situation report of the Inter Sector Coordination Group (ISCG), co-chaired by the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) and United Nations Human Rights Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), the WFP targeted to provide food to 9.74 lakh people of whom a portion is from the host community.
But, the UN body has so far been able to reach with food assistance to about 7.37 lakh people, said the report that covered the period from December 15 to December 30, last year. The sources said that the WFP is in need of funding to maintain feeding existing at over 57,000 households and reach to
the most vulnerable with fresh food. The global bodys food assistance branch appealed for $77.35 million to ensure food security for the Rohingyas till the end of February and so far, they received $38.44 million, which is less than 50 per cent, they said. Such a scenario appears to be displeasing top government officials, who believe that given the assurance of the international community at the onset of the crisis money should not be any problem.
If organisations on the ground struggle to ensure food security till end of February, what will happen after that period, they questioned.
The officials have been of the opinion that a single Rohingya death due to shortage of food is the last thing Bangladesh will want.
And, they added that Bangladesh has its own challenges and constraints and with the limited resources it will be very difficult for the government to feed the Rohingyas from its budget.
We are hopeful to get the money we appealed for to ensure food security of the Rohingyas, an official of the WFP, stationed in Coxs Bazar, told The Independent yesterday, adding, Hopefully, things will be better in the coming days in terms of the availability of funding.
The WFP has identified some gaps and constraints in conducting its operations with requirement of additional funding at the top.
The continuous movement of the Rohingyas, changing their location in search for better arrangements before settling down and relocation is also a problem. Though accountability (complaint response mechanism, help desk, entitlements, etc.) has been strengthened, however there is still scope for enhancement. More monitoring during distributions are required.
The WFP placed great emphasis on improved market access and stated that additional distribution sites are being established, but more sites are needed, particularly in newly populated areas that are far from the distribution points.
