Rohingya refugees and locals of Cox's Bazar have expressed a deep concern over the reduction in funds for food aid.

They fear that it will lead to limited access to nutritious food, a rise in crimes in the refugee settlements and their surrounding areas, and increased tension between locals and refugees.

Currently, the World Food Programme provides $12.50 a month for food for each Rohingya refugee in Bangladesh. From April, the allocation will drop to $6.

Relief officials warn that this decision will worsen food shortage and malnutrition in the camps.

 "I am speechless hearing the news," said Mohammad Zubair, chairman of the Arakan Rohingya Society for Peace and Human Rights.

"There is no way for Rohingyas to survive. Even what we get now is not enough to maintain a nutritious diet," he said, adding that hunger may cause a spike in crimes like robberies, theft, and drug trafficking in the area.

"We don't want to live here on financial assistance. We want to return to our country and grow our own food," he said, urging UN agencies to establish a safe zone in Rakhine State for the Rohingyas.

Selim Khan, a Rohingya youth from Kutupalong camp, said, "We have no earning. We live entirely on food assistance. This is devastating news," he added.

SM Suza, secretary of the Rohingya Affairs unit of Jatiya Nagorik Committee, said, "When their food rations are cut, they will leave the camps in search of livelihood, putting immense pressure on local job market."

"A conflict between locals and Rohingyas may emerge in this situation. It's a major humanitarian crisis. The international community must step in to ensure the basic human rights of the Rohingyas," Suza said.

Samsuddauzza Nayan, additional refugee relief and repatriation commissioner, said, "This decision will impact the community, and refugees may turn to crime to meet their basic needs."