US official suggests ending aid for Rohingya refugees

A U.S. official has proposed ending aid for Rohingya refugees and Lebanon, according to an email reviewed by Reuters. Peter Marocco, acting deputy administrator of USAID, suggested that aid should be contingent on expressions of gratitude from these populations. The email indicates a shift in U.S. policy, as Marocco directed staff to draft a memo outlining options for reducing aid dependency. This comes amid broader efforts to cut USAID programs deemed unbeneficial to the U.S. Currently, the U.S. is the largest aid provider for Rohingya refugees, contributing nearly $2.4 billion since 2017. However, the U.N. has warned of potential cuts to food rations for these refugees unless additional funds are secured.