Half a million Rohingya children face crisis as aid dries up and violence escalates
- Malnutrition has surged by 27% with families surviving on less than 1,000 calories a day, and children’s bodies are wasting before our eyes.
- Essential services are collapsing, health clinics and schools are shutting down, while access to clean water and sanitation is shrinking. Deadly disease outbreaks are becoming inevitable.
A generation is growing up without education, jobs, or hope — pushing families toward desperate choices like early marriage and unsafe migration.
The world's largest refugee settlement is facing a humanitarian crisis, with severe funding cuts, compounded by a new influx of refugees fleeing violence and hunger, which has pushed the humanitarian response to its breaking point. World Vision and other humanitarian organisations on the ground report that a fresh wave of violence in Myanmar has forced approximately 160,000 new refugees into the camps since late 2024, overwhelming an already strained system. Amidst conflict, climate extremes, and economic shocks, more than 1.1 million people, including around 500,000 children, are desperately living in refugee settlements and facing critical shortages of food, clean water, shelter, escalating risks of disease and exploitation. The crisis is a direct result of critical funding shortfalls; the Joint Response Plan has received only 36% of its USD 934 million target, forcing aid agencies to scale back life-saving services for the camps' youngest residents.
Suresh Bartlett, World Vision Bangladesh National Director, shares, “For eight years since fleeing Myanmar, the Rohingya in Cox’s Bazar have shown remarkable resilience in the face of unimaginable hardship. Today, a dangerous convergence of escalating violence, critical aid cuts, and deepening hunger threatens to extinguish the last flickers of hope for over half a million children. Their prolonged suffering calls for urgent, sustained international support.”
Suresh Bartlett, World Vision Bangladesh National Director, shares, “For eight years since fleeing Myanmar, the Rohingya in Cox’s Bazar have shown remarkable resilience in the face of unimaginable hardship. Today, a dangerous convergence of escalating violence, critical aid cuts, and deepening hunger threatens to extinguish the last flickers of hope for over half a million children. Their prolonged suffering calls for urgent, sustained international support.”
Eight years into the Rohingya crisis, World Vision’s Bangladesh Rohingya Crisis Response (BRCR) has supported over 418,000 people, including more than 247,000 children across 19 locations, delivering integrated assistance in food security, health, education, protection, and livelihoods to restore dignity and build long-term resilience.
The needs are overwhelming, but World Vision, together with its partners, is working with the refugees and host communities to intensify local action and innovative solutions designed to build a more hopeful future.
Md. Mofizur Rahman, World Vision BRCR Deputy Response Director, shares, “Despite the challenges, the resilience of the Rohingya community is truly inspiring. Our circular economy initiatives are not just processing waste; they're creating green jobs, providing vital resources like clean water, and restoring dignity. These innovations show what's possible, but they require significant investment to scale and truly avert a full-scale catastrophe."
World Vision's green humanitarian response in Rohingya camps is transforming over 2,200 tons of monthly waste into resources through circular economy approaches. More than waste management, it's creating vital green jobs and sustainable livelihoods. Initiatives include solar-powered water networks producing 600,000 litres daily for 38,000 people, composting for community gardens, tree planting, solar energy maintenance, and upcycling waste into crafts. These efforts safeguard health and the environment while empowering hundreds with new skills, livelihood, and income.
World Vision is grateful to partners such as WFP, UNICEF, IOM, KOICA, and Education Cannot Wait. Their unwavering support has helped provide critical services for hundreds of thousands of vulnerable children and families.
Cherian Thomas, World Vision South Asia and Pacific Regional Leader, shares, “This crisis is a profound test of global solidarity. As new waves of refugees continue to arrive, the drastic funding shortfalls are limiting our ability to provide children and communities with the most basic, life-saving services. We urgently call on the international community to step up — not just with funds, but with bold action and long-term vision. “
Cherian Thomas, World Vision South Asia and Pacific Regional Leader, shares, “This crisis is a profound test of global solidarity. As new waves of refugees continue to arrive, the drastic funding shortfalls are limiting our ability to provide children and communities with the most basic, life-saving services. We urgently call on the international community to step up — not just with funds, but with bold action and long-term vision. “
- Ends -
For media arrangements, please contact:
Devahish Sarker
WV Bangladesh Manager – Internal, Brand and Communications
Email: devahish_sarker@wvi.org
Spokespersons:
Md. Mofizur Rahman (in Cox’s Bazaar)
WV BRCR Deputy Response Director
Email: md.mofizur_rahman@wvi.org
Suresh Bartlett (in Dhaka)=
WV Bangladesh National Director
Email: suresh_bartlett@wvi.org
Rahul Mathew Nimmagadda (in Dhaka)
WV Bangladesh Head - Resource Development and Communications
Email: rahul_mathew@wvi.org
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