Saudi food assistance is enabling thousands of Rohingya families to observe Eid Al-Adha in a traditional manner, according to refugee mothers, as camp supplies have been reduced due to declining international aid. The King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center (KSrelief) is distributing food baskets to more than 60,000 families, including both Rohingya refugees and host-community families in Bangladesh's Cox's Bazar district, to address their immediate nutritional needs.
Distribution Progress and Priority Groups
The distribution, carried out by KSrelief's local partner, Integrated Social Development Effort Bangladesh (ISDE), has been ongoing for several weeks and has already reached half of the intended recipients. S. M. Nazer Hossain, ISDE executive director, stated that priority was given to the most vulnerable households, including female-headed families, elderly individuals, persons with disabilities, orphan-headed households, and families facing severe food insecurity among both Rohingya refugees and marginalized host communities. He emphasized that the support has significantly reduced food insecurity, strengthened dignity, and brought hope to thousands of vulnerable families in Cox's Bazar.
Challenges in the Camps
Nearly 1.3 million Rohingya are currently living in 33 camps in the coastal Bangladeshi district, most of whom fled neighboring Myanmar in 2017 following a military crackdown in Rakhine state. In the camps, they have limited access to job opportunities and education, and with international aid for the refugee community declining since 2021, access to healthcare and food has also been affected. The KSrelief assistance comes as Muslims prepare to observe Eid Al-Adha, one of the two main holidays in Islam. However, celebrations in Rohingya camps are expected to be subdued due to the UN World Food Program's cuts to food rations last month.
Personal Stories of Hope
Amena Begum, who cares for her three sons and a daughter, described how the latest food budget cut has worsened their conditions, making it difficult to manage two proper meals a day. She recently received a KSrelief food basket, which will allow her to prepare special treats for her children. She noted that having special meals on Eid is a tradition observed by Muslims worldwide, including the Rohingya. Her daughter, Anjuman Begum, is fond of homemade cake and sweets, but Amena had been unable to provide any sweet dishes for months. Now, she plans to prepare two or three types of sweets for her children on Eid, expressing her happiness.
Another mother, Asia Nur, described the food aid as a temporary relief in camp life, where she has been unable to observe holidays as she did before becoming a refugee. The Saudi food aid has eased her daily concern of preparing meals for her family for at least a couple of weeks. Her children asked her to cook vermicelli for Eid, and she now has all the ingredients ready. She expressed relief at being able to offer her children the dishes they ask for.
