UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador Orlando Bloom Visits Rohingya Refugee Camps
Orlando Bloom traveled to Bangladesh this week to witness firsthand the impact of sharp cuts to official development assistance (ODA) affecting half a million children in the Rohingya camps situated in Cox’s Bazar.
Funding Cuts Threaten Children’s Future
During his four-day stay, Bloom engaged with children, families, and aid workers to grasp the severity of funding shortfalls that endanger education, health, protection, and survival of children in the world's largest refugee settlements.
“The children in these camps are 100 per cent dependent on aid, but that aid is sadly shrinking,” said Bloom.
He shared the story of 14-year-old Aziz, who aspires to become an engineer and build a drone to raise global awareness about the needs of Rohingya children.
“I met 14-year-old Aziz who told me he dreamed of becoming an engineer so that he could build a drone to show the world how much help Rohingya children need. These children need an education in order to have a future.”
Education Disrupted by Funding Shortages
In June 2025, UNICEF had to temporarily shut most schools in the camps, affecting nearly 150,000 children, due to lack of funds. Although fundraising allowed schools to reopen for all grades recently, looming budget cuts early in 2026 threaten to close them again.
- Over 300,000 children risk losing educational access in 2026.
- Earlier closures already impacted close to 150,000 children.
- Continued financial uncertainty endangers health and protection services as well.
Without sustained aid, the prospects for hundreds of thousands of Rohingya children remain uncertain.
Author’s Summary
The critical funding cuts endanger education and basic needs for over 300,000 Rohingya children, putting their futures at serious risk.