Trump administration secures millions for Rohingya refugees amid aid cutbacks

In September 2025, the Trump administration announced it had successfully obtained substantial aid commitments for the Rohingya refugees residing in Bangladesh. According to a document from the State Department secured exclusively by ABC News, this new funding amounted to $64.6 million from various partner nations. The increase in financial support comes amid reports that the U.S. government has made cutbacks in foreign aid that might have worsened the humanitarian situation for the Rohingya, a group facing severe persecution. This ongoing crisis has drawn domestic and international attention, particularly concerning the welfare of refugees. The State Department indicated that 11 countries, including notable nations such as the U.K., Japan, and Australia, have amplified their financial assistance for the Rohingya people by over 10% under the Trump administration when compared to the final year of the Biden administration. Despite these increases, the actual influence that the Trump administration may have had on securing this additional aid remains uncertain. The administration has emphasized the necessity for other nations to share the burden of humanitarian relief efforts for vulnerable populations globally. In addition to the commitments from partner countries, the Trump administration also pledged to provide $60 million in funding specifically for Rohingya refugees during the same month of September. This follows an earlier announcement in March of an additional $73 million in new assistance aimed at addressing the needs of this beleaguered population. In contrast, during its final year in office, the Biden administration contributed just over $300 million to aid the Rohingya, which represented more than half of the total support provided in that timeframe. As the administration pushes for increased foreign aid to assist Rohingya refugees, troubling reports have emerged from agencies such as the Associated Press, alleging that aid cuts may have led to the death of children in Rohingya camps in Myanmar. In light of these claims, State Department spokesperson Tommy Pigott challenged the veracity of the report, asserting that the assertion that children were dying due to recalibrated U.S. foreign aid levels was false and irresponsible. The ongoing negotiations and initiatives by the Trump administration to rally international aid underscore a complex and pressing humanitarian issue that continues to evolve.