Responding to the news that WFP is to cut its Bangladesh programme serving Rohingya refugees by more than half from next month due to reduced donations, Phil Talman, who supports CAFOD’s work in the country and is currently visiting Bangladesh, said:
"What we're seeing here is the impact of reduced funding for essential aid that preserves life at its most basic level. It’s pretty straightforward: removing aid from food programmes serving the world's poorest, means people will starve.
"The UK is one of the top aid donors to the Rohingya refugee crisis. Current rations of less than £10 a month is already barely enough to maintain life. If the WFP has to cut that in half, it may result in dire food shortages and malnutrition. If UK cuts to Bangladesh are to follow, the consequences for the region could be catastrophic."
CAFOD has two staff members, Richard Sloman and Phil Talman, currently in Bangladesh (GMT+6) on a visit. They are meeting with our partners on the ground and are available for interviews on request.
Notes to editors
For more information or interview requests, please contact:
Rosalind Mayfield (CAFOD Media Officer)
+44 (0)7856 799169
CAFOD Press Office
CAFOD’s 24/7 media hotline
+44 (0)7919 301429
CAFOD is the official aid agency of the Catholic Church in England and Wales, and part of Caritas Internationalis, working with communities across Africa, Asia, the Middle East and Latin America to fight poverty and injustice, including those worst hit by climate change. The agency works with people in need, regardless of race, gender, religion or nationality.