Supporting Vulnerable Rohingya Families in Bangladesh and Arakan, Myanmar-

1. Background:

The Rohingya Development Foundation (RDF) provides humanitarian assistance to vulnerable Rohingya families in Bangladesh refugee camps and conflict-affected areas of Arakan, Myanmar.

Many vulnerable households, particularly widows, orphans, elderly people, persons with disabilities, and low-income families, have extremely limited opportunities to earn an income. Prolonged displacement, armed conflict, restrictions on movement, limited access to employment, food insecurity, and inadequate access to healthcare have made it increasingly difficult for families to meet their basic needs.

In Bangladesh, Rohingya refugees remain highly dependent on humanitarian assistance, while restrictions on movement and employment limit opportunities for self-reliance. Recent research also indicates that livelihood activities can improve household economic security and psychosocial well-being.

In conflict-affected areas of Arakan, displacement and insecurity further restrict people’s ability to work, access markets, obtain food, and receive medical treatment. Humanitarian access and funding constraints can leave displaced communities without sufficient food, clean water, healthcare, and other essential services.

2. Project Goal:

RDF urgently appeals for support to provide emergency livelihood and cash assistance to many vulnerable Rohingya families in Bangladesh refugee camps and Arakan, Myanmar as possible.

Each selected family receives:

€ 150 per family

The assistance will help families meet urgent household needs, including:

– Food and essential household items

– Medicines and healthcare expenses

– Small livelihood or income-generating activities where feasible

– Transportation and other essential expenses

– Other urgent needs identified by vulnerable households

3. Why Livelihood Support Is Important:

Livelihood support is important because emergency food and humanitarian assistance alone may not cover every essential household need.

A flexible cash grant gives vulnerable families the ability to prioritize their most urgent needs with dignity. Cash assistance can also help households avoid harmful coping strategies such as borrowing money, reducing food consumption, or selling essential belongings.

For Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh, livelihood opportunities and self-reliance are particularly important because the protracted displacement situation has created continuing dependence on humanitarian assistance. UNHCR and partners have identified livelihood opportunities and skills development as important components of the humanitarian response.

For displaced and conflict-affected families in Arakan, livelihood assistance can provide immediate financial relief where normal employment and income opportunities have been disrupted by armed conflict, displacement, movement restrictions, and insecurity.

4. Target Beneficiaries:

RDF prioritizes highly vulnerable Rohingya families, including:

– Widows and female-headed households

– Orphans and families caring for orphans

– Elderly and vulnerable people

– Persons with disabilities

– Families with serious medical needs

– Extremely low-income households

– Displaced families affected by armed conflict

– Families unable to meet basic food and essential needs

Beneficiary selection is based on vulnerability and humanitarian need.