World Food Programme halves food rations for Rohingya in Bangladesh

Decision made after attempts to raise more funds had been unsuccessful, agency tells authorities

Food rations for Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh have been slashed in half by the World Food Programme, days after refugees in Kenya protested against a reduction to their rations.

The WFP, which is funded entirely by voluntary contributions and provides assistance to more than 150 million people, said it did not have enough funds to continue to provide the full ration so would be reducing the food voucher to 726 Bangladeshi taka (4.60) per person, from 1,515 taka.