Foreign Aid Cuts Leave Rohingya Children Vulnerable to Child Marriage, Labor, and Trafficking in Bangladesh

Foreign Aid Cuts Leave Rohingya Children Vulnerable to Child Marriage, Labor, and Trafficking in Bangladesh
———————————–
Severe reductions in foreign aid, including cuts imposed this year by the U.S. government under President Donald Trump, have devastated child protection and education programs in Cox’s Bazar, home to 1.2 million Rohingya refugees from Myanmar.

According to a recent article by The Associated Press, thousands of schools and youth training centers were forced to close, leaving children increasingly exposed to exploitation, forced labor, and child marriage.

UNICEF reports a sharp rise in violations against children since the start of 2025. Verified cases of child marriage rose by 21% and child labor by 17% compared with the previous year. Between January and mid-November, abductions quadrupled to 560 cases, while 817 children were recruited by armed groups operating in the camps. Many children have been trafficked across borders, often with fatal consequences.

Aid organizations warn that funding gaps are worsening. UNICEF lost 27% of its funding in 2025, leading to the closure of nearly 2,800 schools. Save the Children has secured only a third of its 2026 funding target, putting 20,000 children’s education at risk.

Humanitarian agencies stress that without urgent replenishment of international aid, the Rohingya children’s safety, education, and futures will continue to deteriorate, leaving a generation exposed to exploitation, abuse, and trauma.