Photo Essay: U.S. Aid Cuts Deepen Hardship for Rohingya Children in Bangladesh Camps

In Ukhiya, Bangladesh, steep cuts to U.S. foreign assistance this year, compounded by reductions from other donor countries, have forced the closure of thousands of schools and youth centers inside Rohingya refugee camps. The reductions have severely weakened child protection programs that provided education, psychosocial support and safe spaces for children.

Impact on Children

The consequences have been acute and immediate. With fewer protective services and fewer safe places to learn and play, vulnerable children have been pushed into dangerous and exploitative situations. Families under extreme economic strain are increasingly resorting to negative coping strategies.

Education and Child Protection

Thousands of informal schools and youth centers that once offered classes, counselling and community activities have closed or sharply reduced operations. These closures have disrupted learning for thousands of children, removed critical child-safeguarding mechanisms, and left caregivers with fewer options for supervision and support.

Consequences for Girls and Boys

Field reports indicate rising rates of early and forced marriage for girls. Some girls have been married off at very young ages; there are also reports of girls as young as 12 being forced into prostitution. Boys and girls alike have been pushed into hazardous work: some children as young as 10 are engaging in hard labor to help support their families.

Official Response: The U.S. State Department says it has provided more than $168 million in assistance to the Rohingya since President Trump took office, and characterizes some funding changes as efforts to improve efficiency and expand burden-sharing among donors. Humanitarian workers and camp residents say the cumulative effect of reduced funding from multiple donors has left essential programs under-resourced.

Photo Gallery: AP photo editors have compiled a photo essay documenting the human impact of these aid reductions on children and families living in the camps.