The United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (WFP) is distributing food items including rice and pulses to the Rohingya camp in Cox’s Bazar. However, there have been complaints about the distribution of that rice.
WFP rice was found in illegal mills in Sadar, Ukhia and Chakaria. Investigations revealed how the rice was being smuggled out of the camps and who was buying it.
The reporter was caught hoarding rice at the camp’s rice mill, and mill owner Fazal Karim tried to manage it. When he went to the WFP center, the staff there also stopped him.
An outlet worker said, “I work for an organization. I need permission to speak.”
Fazal Karim, owner of Sonali Agro Enterprise in Chakaria, said, “I was doing some odd jobs during the flood. I am working by keeping the signboard instead of stealing it for business.”
Rohingyas say that many people sell the distributed rice because they don’t like it.
A Rohingya said, “We are given 13 kg of rice per month. But we have to sell this rice. We cannot eat this rice.”
Another said, “We only get rice, but we don’t get other essentials, including oil. So we give a sack of rice back to the WFP office. The office buys this rice back.”
Despite sending written questions, WFP’s statement on the allegations was not available.
Mizanur Rahman, Commissioner for Refugee Relief and Repatriation, said action will be taken if complaints are received. The Food Department also has no monitoring in this regard.
Mizanur Rahman said, ‘WFP also has donor commitments. Donors are giving money to taxpayers of their countries, it is not for misuse. We do not have any such information. If there is, we can definitely take immediate action.’
Cox’s Bazar District Food Controller Abu Kausar said, “We have no control over the program in the Rohingya camp. They tender as they wish, sign contracts with mills and take supplies from there.”
WFP provides food assistance to about 1.2 million Rohingya in Cox’s Bazar and Bhasan Char.
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