Foreign aid cuts hurt the most vulnerable in world’s largest refugee camp – Al Jazeera

Report on the Rohingya Refugee Crisis in Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh: Emphasizing Sustainable Development Goals

Overview of the Refugee Situation

Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh, hosts the world’s largest refugee camp, sheltering over one million Rohingya Muslim refugees who fled ethnic cleansing in Myanmar. Despite being one of the most persecuted and forgotten populations globally, the camp faces severe challenges exacerbated by recent cuts in foreign aid, impacting healthcare, education, and basic living conditions.

Impact of Aid Cuts and the Need for Sustainable Development

• UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres highlighted Cox’s Bazar as “ground zero” for the effects of budget cuts on vulnerable populations.
• Reductions in funding from major donors such as the US Agency for International Development (USAID) and the UK have stalled key projects.
• Healthcare services have deteriorated, threatening the achievement of SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being).
• There is an urgent need for collective regional responsibility and increased funding aligned with SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals).

Personal Stories Highlighting SDG Challenges

Jahid Alam: Battling Disability and Stigma (SDG 3, SDG 10)

Jahid Alam, a 53-year-old refugee, suffers from Elephantiasis, a disease causing severe leg swelling, likely leading to amputation. His story underscores issues related to:

1. Health and Well-being (SDG 3): Access to medical care through organizations like Doctors Without Borders (MSF) is critical.
2. Reduced Inequalities (SDG 10): Alam faces social stigma due to his disability, highlighting the need for inclusive support systems.
3. Resilience and Hope: Despite challenges, Alam expresses optimism about rebuilding his life in the camp.

Jahena Begum and Her Children: Addressing Disabilities and Education (SDG 4, SDG 3)

Jahena Begum cares for her three children who are blind and have cognitive disabilities. Their situation reflects the importance of:

• Quality Education (SDG 4): Specialized healthcare and educational support are essential for children with disabilities.
• Good Health and Well-being (SDG 3): Medical assessments and interventions by MSF aim to improve their condition.
• Empowerment and Family Support: The children’s ability to recognize their mother (“Amma”) symbolizes hope and emotional strength.

Anowar Shah and Abdul Hashim: Landmine Victims and Rehabilitation (SDG 3, SDG 8)

Both men lost limbs due to landmine explosions in Myanmar, illustrating:

1. Good Health and Well-being (SDG 3): Rehabilitation programs provide physical therapy and prosthetic limbs.
2. Decent Work and Economic Growth (SDG 8): Prosthetics aim to restore mobility and enable return to work.
3. Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions (SDG 16): The use of landmines by armed groups highlights ongoing conflict and the need for peacebuilding.

Challenges Faced by Aid Workers and Recommendations

Resource Allocation and Prioritization (SDG 2, SDG 3, SDG 4)

Aid workers face difficult choices between providing food, healthcare, and education due to funding shortages. This situation threatens progress on:

• Zero Hunger (SDG 2)
• Good Health and Well-being (SDG 3)
• Quality Education (SDG 4)

Calls for Collective and Regional Action (SDG 17)

• Experts advocate for a regional response involving Southeast Asian countries and members of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC).
• Supporting local humanitarian partners, including Bangladeshi nationals and Rohingya refugee groups, is essential for effective aid delivery.
• Global governments are urged to increase funding and support to ensure sustainable development outcomes for refugees.

Funding Status and Future Outlook

• In 2024, only 30% of the required $852.4 million was funded for the Rohingya response.
• As of May 2025, just 15% of the $934.5 million appeal has been met.
• Humanitarian leaders warn that aid cuts are short-sighted and will have devastating impacts on vulnerable populations.

Conclusion

The Rohingya refugee crisis in Cox’s Bazar presents complex challenges that intersect with multiple Sustainable Development Goals. Addressing health, education, inequality, and economic empowerment requires sustained international cooperation and adequate funding. Upholding the principles of the SDGs is critical to improving the lives of refugees and fostering resilience amid adversity.

1. Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Addressed in the Article

1. SDG 1: No Poverty – The article highlights the dire living conditions and dependence on aid in the refugee camps.
2. SDG 2: Zero Hunger – Mention of aid workers having to choose between feeding people and other services implies food insecurity.
3. SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being – The article discusses healthcare challenges, disabilities, disease (Elephantiasis), injuries from landmines, and rehabilitation efforts.
4. SDG 4: Quality Education – Aid cuts affecting education are mentioned.
5. SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities – The plight of the Rohingya refugees, a marginalized group facing discrimination and stigma, is central.
6. SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions – The article references ethnic cleansing, armed conflict, and landmine use in Myanmar.
7. SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals – The need for collective regional responsibility and international cooperation in funding and aid is emphasized.

2. Specific Targets Under Those SDGs Identified in the Article

• SDG 1 – Target 1.4: Ensure equal rights to economic resources and access to basic services for refugees.
• SDG 2 – Target 2.1: End hunger and ensure access to safe, nutritious, and sufficient food.
• SDG 3 – Target 3.3: End epidemics of neglected tropical diseases such as Elephantiasis.
• SDG 3 – Target 3.8: Achieve universal health coverage, including access to quality essential healthcare services and rehabilitation.
• SDG 4 – Target 4.1: Ensure all children and youth have access to quality education.
• SDG 10 – Target 10.2: Empower and promote social, economic, and political inclusion of all, including refugees and persons with disabilities.
• SDG 16 – Target 16.1: Significantly reduce all forms of violence and related death rates, including landmine casualties.
• SDG 17 – Target 17.2: Promote development assistance and mobilize additional financial resources for developing countries, including refugee support.

3. Indicators Mentioned or Implied to Measure Progress Towards the Identified Targets

• Indicator 1.4.1: Proportion of population living in households with access to basic services (implied through discussion of living conditions and aid access).
• Indicator 2.1.1: Prevalence of undernourishment or food insecurity (implied by aid cuts affecting feeding programs).
• Indicator 3.3.5: Number of people requiring interventions against neglected tropical diseases like Elephantiasis (implied by Jahid Alam’s case).
• Indicator 3.8.1: Coverage of essential health services (implied by healthcare access issues and rehabilitation programs).
• Indicator 4.1.1: Proportion of children achieving minimum proficiency in reading and mathematics (implied by education service cuts).
• Indicator 10.2.1: Proportion of people living below 50% of median income, by disability status (implied by disability stigma and dependence).
• Indicator 16.1.2: Number of victims of intentional homicide, conflict-related deaths, and landmine casualties (explicitly mentioned landmine casualties in Myanmar and refugee camps).
• Indicator 17.2.1: Net official development assistance, total and to least developed countries (explicitly mentioned funding shortfalls and aid cuts).

4. Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: aljazeera.com