MedGlobal Warns Against Disastrous Consequences of

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 20, 2025

MEDIA CONTACT:
Prapti Ajmera, West End Strategy Team
[email protected] | 202-867-5231

MedGlobal Warns Against Disastrous Consequences of USAID Funding Cuts for Rohingya Refugees in Bangladesh

MedGlobal is gravely concerned about the recent USAID funding cuts that are jeopardizing essential healthcare services for Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh. This reduction of $8.8 million puts 48 critical health facilities at risk, with 7 clinics on the verge of closure, directly affecting 300,000 vulnerable people. MedGlobal has been working in Bangladesh with local and international partners since 2017 to provide primary health services for Rohingya refugees and vulnerable Bangladeshis.

This crisis in healthcare delivery compounds an already dire situation. As international aid cuts to the World Food Programme have forced a drastic reduction in food rations—from $12 to $6 per person per month—the Rohingya community faces unprecedented challenges. With nearly all households reliant on humanitarian assistance, these dual funding shortfalls in both food and healthcare are intensifying malnutrition, limiting access to necessary treatments, and further marginalizing vulnerable groups such as children, pregnant women, and the elderly.

“Every clinic represents a lifeline for refugees who depend on us for critical care, from emergency services to routine health interventions. The imminent closure of 7 clinics will have devastating consequences on an already vulnerable population,” said Joseph Belliveau, executive director of MedGlobal. “This funding cut is not just a number—it affects thousands of lives.” 

Dr. Rahana Parvin, MedGlobal’s clinical coordinator in Bangladesh, added, “We are witnessing firsthand the impact of these cuts. The withdrawal of such significant resources is severely undermining our capacity to deliver urgent care and maintain the continuity of essential health services. As healthcare facilities close, the risk of preventable illnesses and complications escalates dramatically.”

MedGlobal calls on USAID and the international donor community to reconsider these cuts and provide the necessary humanitarian waivers to ensure uninterrupted essential health services. MedGlobal remains committed to safeguarding the health and dignity of the Rohingya community and stands ready to support all efforts to mitigate this crisis.

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About MedGlobal: MedGlobal is a humanitarian nonprofit organization that provides emergency medical response and health programs to build resilience among vulnerable communities around the world. The organization’s health programs support victims of crisis and conflict, refugees, internally displaced persons, and marginalized communities in disaster-affected and low-resource settings.