Episode: KPN 10-09-2026

South Korea provides 15,000 tonnes of rice for Rohingya Refugees in Bangladesh

South Korea has provided 15,000 metric tonnes of rice and 150 metric tonnes of fortified rice kernels to support food and nutrition assistance for Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh, as humanitarian agencies face continuing pressure on resources for the protracted refugee response.

The contribution was formally marked at a handover ceremony at the United Nations World Food Programme’s Sagorika Warehouse in Chattogram on Sunday, attended by representatives of the Bangladesh government, the Embassy of the Republic of Korea and WFP.

Provided through South Korea’s Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (MAFRA), the rice will be transported to Cox’s Bazar and distributed to Rohingya refugees through WFP’s General Food Assistance programme.

Fortified rice to improve nutrition

Alongside the 15,000 tonnes of rice, South Korea provided 150 tonnes of fortified rice kernels containing essential vitamins and minerals.

The fortified kernels will be blended with the donated rice before being transported to Cox’s Bazar, increasing the nutritional value of food distributed to Rohingya families, particularly children and other vulnerable refugees, according to WFP.

The latest assistance continues several years of large-scale South Korean food support for the Rohingya humanitarian response.

South Korea contributed 15,000 tonnes of rice in 2024 and another 20,265 tonnes in 2025.

Bangladesh welcomes continued Korean assistance

ABM Shafiqul Haidar, additional secretary at Bangladesh’s Ministry of Disaster Management and Relief, thanked the South Korean government and people for the latest contribution.

He described the assistance as reflecting the longstanding friendship and cooperation between Bangladesh and South Korea and their shared commitment to responding to humanitarian needs.

South Korean Ambassador to Bangladesh Kim Ji-joon said Seoul hoped the contribution would address both food insecurity and nutritional needs among vulnerable Rohingya families.

“We are pleased to continue Korea’s support for Rohingya refugees through this contribution of rice and fortified rice kernels,” Kim said.

The ambassador said adding essential micronutrients to food assistance could help improve nutrition among vulnerable families, and reaffirmed South Korea’s commitment to working with Bangladesh and WFP in support of the Rohingya community.

WFP says assistance comes at critical time

WFP Representative and Country Director in Bangladesh Coco Ushiyama said South Korea’s contribution had arrived at a critical time as humanitarian needs continue to exceed available resources.

She said the rice would help Rohingya families continue receiving essential food assistance, while the fortified kernels would improve its nutritional quality for vulnerable refugees.

“We are grateful to the Republic of Korea for its continued support and solidarity with Rohingya families who remain heavily dependent on humanitarian assistance,” Ushiyama said.

According to WFP, nearly 1.2 million Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh remain dependent on humanitarian assistance, with limited livelihood opportunities and no immediate prospect of safe, voluntary and dignified return to Myanmar.

South Korea expands global food assistance

South Korea and WFP have worked together for more than six decades, in a relationship that dates back to a period when South Korea itself received WFP assistance.

South Korea has since become a major contributor of in-kind food assistance to WFP operations internationally.

In 2025, MAFRA provided 150,000 tonnes of rice to WFP operations across 17 countries, including Bangladesh, according to WFP.

South Korea’s 2024 contribution to Bangladesh was part of a wider Korean food-aid programme under which 100,000 tonnes of rice were allocated to vulnerable populations in countries across Asia, Africa and the Middle East. The Korean agriculture ministry said at the time that 15,000 tonnes were designated for Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh.

Rohingya response enters another year amid funding pressure

The latest contribution comes as the Rohingya refugee crisis approaches a decade since the mass displacement from Myanmar in 2017.

With refugees continuing to depend heavily on humanitarian assistance and prospects for large-scale voluntary return remaining uncertain, WFP and other humanitarian agencies have repeatedly emphasized the importance of sustained international donor support.

The latest South Korean contribution will be incorporated into WFP’s general food assistance programme in Cox’s Bazar, supporting food security while the fortified kernels are intended to address nutritional needs among children and other vulnerable refugees.

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