Justice for All Canada Statement Condemning Drastic UN Funding Cuts for Rohingya Refugees​

“These shocking aid cuts deepen the suffering of a community already reeling from the devastating impact of Cyclone Mocha. Reducing funding for Rohingya refugees is a grave betrayal of our commitment to upholding life-saving assistance on their behalf. We call on the Canadian government to turn its rhetoric into tangible action," expressed Taha Ghayyur, Executive Director. 

The announcement arrived months after we learned the Canadian government would cut international assistance funding by a staggering $1.3 billion, a 15% reduction, in its latest budget. This unconscionable move comes as the world grapples with multiple crises, including policy-level hate speech and discrimination, climate change, hunger, conflict, and an erosion of democratic values worldwide. 

The Rohingya community, already reeling from ongoing human rights violations, displacement, and the devastating impact of Cyclone Mocha, now faces the horrifying reality of diminished access to essential resources such as food, clean water, and healthcare. This decision by a key UN agency endangers the lives of Rohingya families who are already on the brink of survival in the cyclone’s aftermath. 

The Rohingya genocide, already recognized by the UN and Canada, demands swift action to dismantle the oppressive system perpetuating their suffering. Despite billions in aid promised by Canada to help Rohingya Muslims, there is a lack of consistency between dollars pledged and tangible improvement in their situation on the ground. We recommend Global Affairs Canada establish transparent reporting mechanisms to monitor and evaluate the utilization of funds allocated for the Rohingya crisis. It is essential to ensure that the allocated resources effectively reach Rohingya in need. 

Justice For All Canada encourages Canada’s government to advocate for reversing the devastating funding cuts and exert pressure on Myanmar's military junta to guarantee the unimpeded delivery of lifesaving aid to the Rohingya. Following the cyclone, the junta has blocked the timely delivery of humanitarian assistance to Rohingya. Travel authorizations and customs clearances for aid agencies were deliberately impeded, preventing them from reaching affected areas promptly and effectively.

The Canadian government must realize that such actions have dire consequences for the Rohingya community, particularly women and girls who face heightened risks of violence, exploitation, and deprivation. Years after being one of the first democracies to declare the crisis a genocide, this is a critical moment for Canada to translate its rhetorical commitments into meaningful actions that prioritize the protection and well-being of the Rohingya.