UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador Orlando Bloom Visits Rohingya Refugee Camps
Orlando Bloom, UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador, traveled to Bangladesh to assess the impact of reduced official development assistance (ODA) on half a million children residing in Rohingya camps in Cox’s Bazar.
Funding Cuts Risk Education for Over 300,000 Children
Severe cuts to global funding threaten the future of more than 300,000 children, who may lose access to education in 2026. In June 2025, UNICEF had to temporarily close most schools in the camps due to funding shortages, affecting nearly 150,000 children.
Although fundraising efforts recently enabled children across all grades to resume learning, an imminent funding gap in early 2026 could force all schools to close again.
Meeting Children and Aid Workers
During his four-day visit, Bloom engaged with children, families, and aid workers to gauge the scale of challenges affecting education, health, protection, and survival in the largest refugee camps globally.
“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.”
Outlook
The ongoing financial shortfalls put the lives and futures of hundreds of thousands of Rohingya children at great risk, underlining the urgent need for renewed global support.
Summary: Orlando Bloom’s visit to Rohingya camps highlights critical funding cuts threatening the education and survival of over 300,000 children in 2026.