Rohingya refugees just lost half of their food aid. Now what? + Syria update, Pakistan's women's rights
Issue 417: Food aid for Rohingya slashed, Syria’s latest crisis, Pakistan’s women’s rights fight, Sudan vs. UAE at the ICJ, a rising Nigerien designer, what's hot in Lesotho, and so much more.
This week, I'm focusing on one huge story: the UN's World Food Program is cutting food vouchers for Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh by half. I talked to Nan San Lwin, co-founder of the Free Rohingya Coalition, about what this decision means, what the "international community" can do (if anything), and what the Bangladeshi government is doing about it. Plus: a Syria update, how easy is it to buy a gun in India, women's rights in Pakistan, Sudan is taking the UAE to the International Court of Justice, a Nigerien (not Nigerian) designer to watch, maybe your favorite series to watch this Ramadan, a Ghanaian audio drama, and an Ethiopian dating show everyone’s talking about, and so much more.
Many people are sounding the alarm about food aid cuts to one million Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh
What happened
Starting April 1, the United Nations' World Food Program (WFP) is cutting the monthly food vouchers for about one million Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh from US$12.50 to US$6 per person.
Why this matters:(This is also sort of arefresher)The Rohingya are an ethnic group from Rakhine State, Myanmar. They’re mostly Muslim and have lived in the region for centuries. But Myanmar’s government doesn’t see it that way. Instead, they claim the Rohingya are illegal immigrants from Bangladesh—even though Rohingya history in the region dates back over a thousand years with influences from Arabs, Mughals, and Portuguese traders. The Myanmar government has denied Rohingya citizenship since 1982, stripping them of basic rights. That means no passports, no legal status (they're stateless), they need special permission to travel, and they’re kept out of most government positions. Analysts (and people like Nobel laureate Desmond Tutu) have compared their treatment to apartheid. The military has been targeting the Rohingya since the 1940s.The last military crackdown was in 2016/2017, and it was so severe, that close to a million Rohingya people fled Myanmar, and settled mostly in Bangladesh. They live in camps there since. Cox's Bazar, a town by the sea in Bangladesh, is home to theworld's largest refugee camp.
Tell me more Everybody’s sounding the alarm. I talked to Nay San Lwin (X), co-founder of the Free Rohingya Coalition, about all of this. The Free Rohingya Coalition (FRC) is a global activist network fighting for Rohingya rights, justice, and safety. Follow them on X, Facebook or Instagram.
whlw: How will these cuts affect daily life in the camps?
Nay San Lwin: The WFP’s decision will severely impact life in the Rohingya refugee camps. Food insecurity and malnutrition—already critical issues, particularly among children—will worsen. The cuts will also take a toll on mental health, increase social tensions, and heighten risks of crime and exploitation. As families struggle to afford basic necessities, children’s education and development will suffer, perpetuating cycles of poverty and dependence.
whlw: Has there been any discussion with the Bangladeshi government or international bodies on alternative solutions to food insecurity in the camps?
Nan San Lwin: Yes, discussions have taken place among the Bangladeshi government, the UN, and donors, primarily revolving around funding appeals to prevent ration cuts. Some private efforts have also urged Bangladesh to lift employment restrictions for Rohingya refugees. However, concrete results remain uncertain. Sustainable solutions must go beyond emergency aid, focusing on policies that allow refugees to work legally, support local economies, and reduce long-term reliance on humanitarian assistance.
whlw: Given the persistent funding shortfalls, do you see any viable long-term strategies for Rohingya self-sufficiency or economic empowerment in Bangladesh?
Nan San Lwin: Yes, but they hinge on policy reforms. Lifting employment restrictions would enable Rohingya refugees to contribute to sectors like agriculture, trade, and small businesses. Investing in vocational training and microenterprise development could provide the skills and resources necessary for economic independence. Since safe repatriation to Myanmar remains unrealistic due to ongoing conflict, international partners should advocate for these reforms and explore innovative financing models to reduce aid dependency and promote long-term stability.
whlw: What can international donors do to help?
Nan San Lwin: Donors must act urgently to restore full food rations and counter reductions such as those caused by the U.S. aid freeze under the Trump administration. Beyond food aid, they should support initiatives in health, education, and livelihoods. Diplomatic efforts should focus on long-term solutions, including facilitating safe repatriation to Myanmar and easing work restrictions in Bangladesh to enable economic independence for refugees. Addressing both immediate and structural challenges is key to breaking the cycle of crisis.
whlw: How can the global public and civil society organizations best support Rohingya refugees at this critical time?
Nan San Lwin: Civil society and the global public play a crucial role in raising awareness, advocating for policy changes, and mobilizing funds for organizations like the WFP. Grassroots initiatives, direct support for health and education programs, and collaborations with the private sector can also help. However, without comprehensive government action to address the root causes of the crisis, these efforts risk being symbolic rather than transformative. Advocacy must go hand in hand with structural policy changes to ensure lasting impact.
What do Rohingya refugees living in the camps in Bangladesh say?
One Rohingya refugee, 40-year-old Manzur Ahmed, living in Cox's Bazar, said: "I’m worried about how I’ll feed my family, because we don’t have any way to earn money here. When I heard about this, I got scared. How can I buy rice, chili, salt, sugar, and dal with only 700 taka ($6)? Fish, meat, and vegetables are impossible—we can’t even afford cooking oil. Where will we get these things?"
Another Rohingya refugee, 32-year.old Dildar Begum, said: "When we go to the hospital now, they don’t give us medicine unless it’s an emergency. Before, anyone who felt sick could get treatment. But now, only people in serious condition get medicine."
Does this have anything to do with the USAID cuts? Not clear right now. The WFP says, "donations have gone down globally. It's been bad for a while." Bangladesh’s temporary government did say that the end of USAID funding would affect other projects (smaller NGOs, as CBC News reports) in the country, but money meant for Rohingya refugees will keep coming. But also: the U.S. is Bangladesh’s biggest donor for helping Rohingya refugees, especially by giving emergency food and nutrition through the U.N. Usually, almost half of all aid money for Rohingya refugees comes from the U.S.—in 2024 alone, that was around US$300 million.
Zoom out: The USAID cuts affect Rohingya refugees in Indonesia, however. Basically, the UN's migration agency in charge of helping refugees told them, "Sorry folks, we’re short on cash," because their biggest funder, the U.S., scaled back dramatically. Around 925 Rohingya refugees are losing healthcare and cash support. They’ll still get a bit of help—but only the absolute basics, and only for the people most in need, Reuters reported. Btw, this is not the first food aid cutfor Rohingya refugees.
Good to know: Five years ago, Aung San Suu Kyi denied genocide at the ICJ. Now in prison (for other reasons), some Rohingya in Cox's Bazar see her as powerless. "I don’t think she is the real enemy of the Rohingya," one Rohingya tells The Independent. The blame is put rather on the army itself and the Mogh Baghi (common term used by refugees for the Arakan Army, the most powerful Buddhist rebel group in Myanmar accused of forcefully displacing tens of thousands of Rohingya.)
What other problems are Rohingya refugees facing right now? It’s not just food that’s getting harder to come by in the refugee camps—it’s water, too. Zulker Naeen writes for Global Voices about the freshwater crisis in Cox’s Bazar, a town by the sea in Bangladesh. It used to be known for having the longest natural sandy beach in the world, but now, most people recognize it as home to the world’s largest refugee camp. More people means a higher demand for water, and that’s where the problem starts. Thousands of tube wells have dried up because both refugees and locals are pulling too much water from underground. Every year, groundwater levels drop even further (climate change says hi), and digging deeper wells isn’t a simple solution—it costs around US$1,200, which is out of reach for most people. Right now, residents have to travel to a shop where water is pulled from deep underground, treated, and then sold. Some people earn so little that they end up spending more than 10 percent of their income just to have clean drinking water.
What now? UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres will visit Rohingya refugees soon for Ramadan. (Rohingya are mostly Muslims.)
what else happened
Bad
Syria: Save the Children says that landmines and unexploded ordnance in Syria have killed or injured at least 188 children since the overthrow of President Bashar al-Assad in December 2024. (Al Arabiya) The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR) reports that 745 civilians were killed in 30 separate massacres targeting Alawite communities on Syria’s west coast in just two days (Friday and Saturday). The violence is believed to be the worst since the fall of the Assad regime. Alawites—a minority sect in Syria—were long associated with Assad’s rule. (BBC)
UK: The UK just hit an all-time high for modern slavery cases, with over 19,000 victims referred to authorities in 2024—and nearly one-third of them were children. NGOs estimate the real number is closer to 130,000, with victims forced into labor in drug trades, sex work, car washes, nail salons, and even the social care sector. (Semafor)
India: In India, buying a gun is a WhatsApp message away. (rest of world)
Pakistan: In 2024, Pakistan reported 2,000 cases of domestic violence, 500 "honor killings", and 5,000 rapes. The Sustainable Social Development Organization (SSDO) found that less than 2% of these cases led to convictions. Every day, 67 women and girls were kidnapped, and many more cases went unreported because families were too scared or ashamed to speak up. Powerful men, especially tribal leaders, often get away with these crimes, while Pakistan’s justice system looks the other way. (The Diplomat)
Turkey: Three Kurdish authors—Mevlüt Aykoç, Sami Tan, and Ronayi Önen—have been arrested in Turkey for their role in publishing Hînker, a Kurdish language textbook that has been legally available since 2010. Turkish authorities claim the book was found in the possession of a deceased member of the People’s Defence Forces (HPG)—the armed wing of the PKK. The authors are now accused of "membership in a terrorist organization." The pro-Kurdish DEM Party has condemned the arrests, saying: "How can Turkey claim to be in a democratic transformation process while arresting teachers?" (MedyaNews)
Interesting...
South Korea: The Seoul Central District Court lifts the arrest warrant for South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol after his initial detention period expired. (DW)
Ghana / U.S.: Ghana launched a "Year of Return" campaign back in 2019 to get Black people from the U.S. and other members of the diaspora to move back, reconnect with their roots, and maybe even settle down. Hundreds of people took the offer, seeing it as a chance to reclaim a history that was stolen from them. Local Ghanaians are saying, however, "wealthy migrants are getting prime real estate. What's left for us?!" (New Lines Magazine)
Micronesia: Citizens of the Federated States of Micronesia voted to elect ten of the fourteen members of Congress. (Pacific Daily News)
Nigeria: Nigeria just became the 8th African country and 77th overall shareholder of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD). (Business Insider Africa)
Sudan: Sudan’s Rapid Support Forces (RSF) just took a big step toward setting up their own government by signing a transitional constitution. (Reuters)
Guinea-Bissau: The current President Umaro Sissoco Embalo will seek a second term in elections scheduled for November. He has been president since Feb. 2020. (AP)
Good
Sudan / UAE: The government of Sudan filed a lawsuit in the International Court of Justice against the United Arab Emirates for its alleged support of the Rapid Support Forces and its complicity in genocide against the Masalit people in Darfur, Sudan. The UAE denied its involvement in Sudan and calls the lawsuit a "publicity stunt". (Al Jazeera)
Panama: Panama has released 65 migrants who were held for weeks in a remote camp after being deported from the U.S., telling them they have at least 30 days to leave the Central American nation. (Al Jazeera)
Kenya: The country's Communication Authority is officially looking into claims that TikTok made money from livestreams showing kids in inappropriate situations. (X)
Niger: Mariam Issoufou, an architect from Niamey, Niger, was just named one of West Africa’s top 10 designers to watch by Wallpaper magazine, a global design magazine. (Wallpaper)
Mental health: The Mental State of the World Report by the Global Mind Project analyzed over a million people across 76 countries and found that mental health is tanking in high-income countries, especially among 18- to 34-year-olds—no signs of recovery. Meanwhile, several African countries show stronger mental resilience, with Tanzania ranking #1 globally. Nigeria, Angola, Cameroon, Côte d’Ivoire, and DR Congo also made it to the top 10. (Business Insider Africa)
Women: Protests everywhere. :) (Al Jazeera)
Rwanda: Business Insider Africa for International Women's Day presented the top 10 African countries with the highest number of women in national parliament. Rwanda leads that list, with more than 60 percent of MPs being female. Germany's new parliament? 32 percent. In fact, all ten African countries have more female MPs than Germany's new Bundestag. (Business Insider Africa)
recommendations
Watch... "Al-Noss". It’s Ramadan, which means it’s time to pick the series to get obsessed with. This year, I landed on Al-Noss. Here’s the setup: Egypt once had an actual Pickpockets’ Syndicate. Not just random thieves, but a full-on guild with rules, territories, and a leader who settled disputes. Ayman Osman dug through archives for three years to piece this forgotten underworld back together in his book Memoirs of a Pickpocket—and now it’s a TV show. Every episode ends with 30 seconds of actual history, just to remind you that, yes, this really happened. The show’s main guy, Ismail Al-Noss, was so infamous he once asked a journalist to document his life. Three years later, by 1930, a full memorandum about him was published. Fast forward nearly a century, and his name is still woven into Egypt’s folklore. You can watch Al-Noss on Yango Play here (you can put English subtitles). First, watch the trailer real quick.
Listen to... "Goodbye, Goldcoast". Ghanaian filmmaker Joewackle J. Kusi grew up on BBC radio plays and folktales from his mother—so when the COVID-19 lockdown hit, he started thinking about how stories could be told without visuals. That’s how Goodbye, Goldcoast was born—his first audio drama, co-written with Fui Can-Tamakloe. The story follows two young people on Ghana’s independence night—one excited for freedom, the other unsure of his place in a post-colonial country. It brings history to life in a way that feels personal and real, showing how everyday Ghanaians experienced independence. Kusi faced challenges researching the era since historical records were scattered, but he worked with historians and elders to get it right. His goal? To make history engaging, especially for young people who didn’t learn much about it in school. There’s talk of Kwame Nkrumah, white people, and the future—plus a classroom debate on colonialism that was chef’s kiss. After the first episode, I just sat there wishing time travel was real. Since it’s not, this will have to do. Released on Ghana’s Independence Day, Goodbye, Goldcoast is out now—go listen.
Read... "Kazakhstan-Xinjiang, la frontière des larmes". Over the past decade, China has locked up over a million Uyghurs, Kazakhs, and Kyrgyz in so-called "re-education camps" in Xinjiang. Forced labor, sterilization, torture—straight-up cultural erasure. The UN calls it a crime against humanity, the U.S. says it’s genocide. Two journalists, Léa Polverini and Robin Tutenges, went to Kazakhstan in 2023 to track down survivors of those camps. What they found? A "border of tears"—families waiting for loved ones who never returned, survivors still living in fear, too scared to speak. Even outside China, they’re not safe—Kazakhstan, tied to China economically, keeps them quiet. The story almost didn’t happen. No big French paper wanted to fund it. Too risky? Too inconvenient? Who knows. Finally, Slate France backed them, and their reporting exposed just how deep China’s repression runs. The series won awards, but funding was still an uphill battle—because apparently, breaking major human rights stories doesn’t pay. With support from the Pulitzer Center, they’re now investigating in Kyrgyzstan, where things are even messier. Read the 8-part longread series here; it's in French. For English speakers, Léa Polverini takes you behind-the-scenes of this reporting series in this article for the Global Investigative Journalism Network.
video of the week
Ethiopia's first reality dating show I Ethiopia just got its first-ever reality dating show. Latey: Looking for Love takes ten Ethiopian women, puts them in a Bachelor-style competition for one guy (Messiah Hailemeskel, a diaspora Habesha from Texas), and lets the...show begin. Ethiopian women openly pursuing love? That’s not something you see every day on TV. Some viewers aren’t happy about it, calling it "women chasing a man." Others? They love that the show gives women space to share their stories, ambitions, and perspectives on love. With over 600,000 views in two months, the show is a massive hit. And now? Fans are already asking for a female-led season where the men do the competing/chasing.
on a funny note
So, U.S. President Trump apparently thinks nobody has ever heard of Lesotho. The country is "shocked and embarassed." Let’s turn this omfg-can-someone-shut-him-up moment into an educational one because Lesotho is actually fascinating. Here’s what you didn’t know you needed to know:
It’s a kingdom in the sky – Lesotho is the only country in the world where every inch of land is at least 1,000 meters (3,281 ft) above sea level. You literally have to climb your way into the country.
It’s an African ski destination – Yep, it snows in Lesotho. In fact, it has the highest ski resort in the region.
It sells water like oil – Lesotho’s biggest export? Not gold, not diamonds (though they have those too)—it’s water. Known as "white gold," Lesotho pipes massive amounts of it to South Africa. Meanwhile, some of its own villages (like Ha Ramokoatsi, a village one kilometer from the massive Katse Dam) struggle with access to clean water. Capitalism, folks.
Your jeans might be from there – If you own a pair of Levi’s, there’s a decent chance they were stitched in Lesotho. The country is a major exporter of denim, though garment workers earn very low wages.
It’s completely inside South Africa – A whole country, entirely landlocked by another country. It’s like if Switzerland was inside France. Some two million people live here.
There are some other aspects to the country (one of the highest HIV and suicide rates) that need more space to explore. I'll keep you updated on Lesotho's politics. Perhaps you can forward this email to Don Don.