UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador Orlando Bloom has completed a four-day visit to Cox's Bazar, warning that steep aid cuts are pushing Rohingya children towards what he called a "child survival crisis."

Bloom, on his return to Bangladesh after eight years, met children, families, teachers, and aid workers across the camps, where 500,000 Rohingya children rely entirely on humanitarian support. "The children in these camps are 100 per cent dependent on aid, but that aid is sadly shrinking," Bloom said. He recalled speaking to Aziz, 14, who dreams of becoming an engineer to build a drone "to show the world how much help Rohingya children need."

Severe funding shortages forced UNICEF to temporarily close most camp schools in June, affecting 150,000 children. Although lessons have resumed after emergency fundraising, a major shortfall expected in early 2026 could shut all learning centres again, leaving over 300,000 children without education. 

Bloom also met Husna, 15, who has not missed a class in three years and aspires to become a doctor. "Keeping schools open is the only chance for girls here to avoid child marriage," he said.

UNICEF reports rising health risks, including a 24 per cent increase in skin diseases due to poor sanitation, despite expanded WASH services. Protection concerns are worsening too: more than 400 children were victims of abduction or recruitment by armed groups in October alone, triple last year's figure. "Insufficient protection services are putting these children at real risk," Bloom warned.