DHAKA, Bangladesh

The UN World Food Programme (WFP) has received 3,000 metric tons of sunflower oil from three countries for Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh, amid a severe food and funding crisis for Myanmar's persecuted Muslim population.

The donation was made jointly by the Swedish ambassador to Dhaka, Ukraine's ambassador to India and Bangladesh, and France's ambassador to Dhaka as part of the "Grain From Ukraine" initiative in the southeastern coast of Cox's Bazar in Bangladesh, where 1.2 million refugees have sought temporary shelter since fleeing Myanmar military crackdowns in August 2017.

The support comes through the "Grain from Ukraine" initiative, a humanitarian food program launched by the Ukrainian government in 2022. The goal is to deliver food commodities from Ukraine to crisis-affected countries through WFP responses and international assistance, according to a WFP statement.

The sunflower oil for the Rohingya was produced in Ukraine, with the Swedish government covering the procurement and transportation costs of $7 million.

The Rohingya response faces severe challenges, including a sharp decline in funding. To meet basic needs, WFP's Rohingya operation faces a nearly $190 million funding gap, with $172 million going toward life-saving food and nutrition assistance. Without new funding, food rations will face major disruptions starting April 2026, the UN agency said.

The WFP appreciated the governments of Ukraine, Sweden, and France, as well as Bangladesh, for their solidarity and support.