South Korea gives 15,000 tons of rice for Rohingya refugees
Latest food assistance comes as Rohingya crisis enters 10th year and humanitarian agencies struggle to sustain support for refugees dependent on international aid
DHAKA, Bangladesh (MNTV) — South Korea has donated 15,000 metric tons of rice to help feed Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh, providing fresh support as the prolonged refugee crisis faces continuing pressure on humanitarian resources.
The contribution also includes 150 metric tons of fortified rice kernels containing essential vitamins and minerals, which will be mixed with the donated rice to improve nutrition, particularly for children and other vulnerable refugees.
According to the World Food Programme, the assistance was formally handed over Sunday at the U.N. agency’s warehouse in the southeastern port city of Chattogram. The rice will be transported to Cox’s Bazar and distributed through WFP’s food assistance program for Rohingya refugees.
The donation was provided through South Korea’s Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs as part of Seoul’s continuing support for the Rohingya humanitarian response.
South Korean Ambassador to Bangladesh Kim Ji-joon said the assistance was intended to address both hunger and nutritional needs among Rohingya families.
“Korea remains committed to working with the Government of Bangladesh and WFP to support the Rohingya community during this difficult time,” Kim said.
The latest shipment marks the third consecutive year South Korea has provided large-scale rice assistance for the Rohingya response. Seoul donated 15,000 metric tonnes in 2024 and another 20,265 metric tonnes in 2025.
The fortified kernels are designed to add micronutrients to the refugees’ staple food. Previous South Korean contributions have included kernels containing vitamin A, vitamins B1 and B12, iron, zinc and folic acid, nutrients considered particularly important for children’s health and development.
The assistance comes as the Rohingya refugee crisis approaches a decade since the mass exodus from neighboring Burma in 2017, when a brutal military crackdown forced more than 700,000 Rohingya across the border into Bangladesh.
Bangladesh now hosts more than 1 million Rohingya, most living in densely populated camps in Cox’s Bazar with limited opportunities to earn an income and heavy dependence on humanitarian assistance for food and other basic needs.
Prospects for large-scale repatriation remain remote because of continuing conflict and insecurity in Burma and concerns over whether Rohingya could return safely and with basic rights guaranteed.
WFP officials said South Korea’s latest contribution comes at a critical time as humanitarian needs continue to outpace available resources, making sustained international assistance essential to maintaining food and nutrition programs for the refugee population.
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