Muhammad Ashraf Hossain, Additional Deputy Commissioner of Cox’s Bazar, issued a notice on Sunday asking the voluntary organisations to refrain from distributing food and other relief goods in between Dec 11 and Dec 17.

The administration fears that the refugees are hoarding the food and non-edible items, according to the circular.

“Most of the non-government organisations are distributing food among the persecuted Myanmar citizens. The refugees are hoarding and wasting the extra items,” it reads.

The commissioner for overseeing relief and rehabilitation of refugees in Cox’s Bazar, superintendent of police, civil surgeon, UNOs of Ukhia and Teknaf Upazilas and NGO affairs bureau of the Prime Minister’s Office have been copied in the notice.

Bangladesh saw a Rohingya exodus after the Muslim minority group started fleeing to Cox’s Bazar from the Rakhine State of Myanmar in August.

Over the last three months, around 650,000 Rohingyas have taken shelter in the tourism district where the government has set up two new camps for their registration.

The government is coordinating the relief works of the United Nations and other NGOs.

“The supply of food and other relief materials have surpassed the demand. Many are hoarding these items and selling them in market. So, relief materials are being wasted although a crisis is on,” ADC Hossain said.

The authorities will, however, make arrangements in case any family comes up with special need during this time, he added.