UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador Orlando Bloom Visits Rohingya Refugee Camps
Orlando Bloom, UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador, traveled to Bangladesh to witness the effects of significant cuts to official development assistance (ODA) impacting the 500,000 children living in Rohingya camps in Cox’s Bazar.
Funding Cuts Threaten Education and Well-being
During his four-day visit, Bloom engaged with children, families, and aid workers to assess the critical funding challenges jeopardizing education, health, protection, and survival for children in the world's largest refugee camps. Severe budget cuts are putting nearly half a million children's futures at serious risk.
“The children in these camps are 100 per cent dependent on aid, but that aid is sadly shrinking,” said Orlando Bloom.
“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.”
Impact of Funding Shortages on Education
In June 2025, UNICEF temporarily closed most schools within the Rohingya camps due to lack of funding, affecting almost 150,000 children. Although recent fundraising allowed schools to reopen for all grades, an expected funding shortfall in early 2026 threatens to close the schools once again, potentially leaving more than 300,000 children without access to education.
Key Facts
- Over 300,000 children face losing education access in 2026 due to funding cuts.
- Approximately 500,000 children live in Rohingya refugee camps in Cox’s Bazar.
- Schools in camps reopened recently after fundraising but face closure risks again.
Author's summary: Severe funding cuts threaten education and essential services for Rohingya refugee children in Bangladesh, putting over 300,000 young lives at risk in 2026.