The Government of Bangladesh, the Embassy of the Republic of Korea, and the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) jointly held a handover ceremony in Chattogram to mark Korea’s latest rice donation in support of the Rohingya humanitarian response. The event, held at WFP’s Alongkar Warehouse, was attended by key representatives including Md. Mostafizur Rahman, Secretary of the Ministry of Disaster Management and Relief; H.E. Young Sik Park, Ambassador of the Republic of Korea to Bangladesh; and Dom Scalpelli, WFP Country Director for Bangladesh. The ceremony coincided with Korea’s Farmer’s Day, paying tribute to the country’s farmers whose hard work made the contribution possible.
This is the second donation from the Republic of Korea through its Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (MAFRA), amounting to 20,265 metric tons of rice. In 2024, Korea had previously contributed 15,000 metric tons for the Rohingya response. In addition to rice, MAFRA has provided fortified rice kernels enriched with vital nutrients such as vitamins A, B1, B12, zinc, iron, and folic acid to support health and cognitive development, particularly for children. The fortified rice will be blended locally before being distributed to the Rohingya camps in Cox’s Bazar.
This year’s contribution will feed the entire Rohingya population of more than 1.1 million people for nearly two months and forms part of Korea’s global rice donation of 150,000 metric tons to WFP operations in 17 countries. Officials from Bangladesh expressed gratitude to Korea for its continued partnership, emphasizing the urgency of sustaining humanitarian aid amid growing needs and declining funding. Md. Mostafizur Rahman highlighted that the support comes at a crucial time when global humanitarian resources are under strain, urging the international community to enhance its engagement in addressing both immediate and long-term challenges faced by the Rohingya community.
Ambassador Young Sik Park noted that Korea’s contribution symbolizes its transformation from a recipient of WFP assistance decades ago to a steadfast donor today. He reaffirmed Korea’s commitment to working with Bangladesh and WFP in meeting the humanitarian needs of the Rohingya population. Dom Scalpelli, WFP Country Director, praised Korea’s solidarity and compassion, acknowledging its inspiring journey from aid recipient to global donor. He also commended Bangladesh’s continued generosity and emphasized the urgent need for additional international funding to sustain food assistance and safeguard the dignity of the displaced population.
As the Rohingya crisis enters its ninth year, more than 1.1 million refugees remain in camps in Cox’s Bazar, with over 130,000 new arrivals in 2024 fleeing violence in Myanmar’s Rakhine State. The 2025 Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) report projects that 40 percent of the Rohingya population—around 446,000 people—will face severe food insecurity, with nearly half of them at emergency levels. Without new funding, WFP warns that life-saving food assistance could face significant disruptions by April 2026.
Md. Morshedur Rahman Talukder, Director of the Myanmar Wing at Bangladesh’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, expressed appreciation for Korea’s ongoing partnership and support in addressing the Rohingya issue. He emphasized that the bilateral relations between Bangladesh and Korea continue to thrive, strengthened by cooperation in trade, investment, development, and humanitarian efforts.
