Myanmar Will Lose Food Aid from WFP Because of the Funding Crisis

More than 1 million people in Myanmar will stop receiving lifesaving food assistance from the World Food Programme (WFP) starting next month due to severe funding shortfalls, the UN food agency announced on Friday.

Food Crisis Intensifying Due to Internal Conflicts

The WFP went on to say that those cuts come at the time Myanmar faces such factors as ever-escalating conflict, mass displacement, and increased restrictions on humanitarian access. The country has been in chaos ever since early 2021 when the military staged a coup over a democratically elected civilian government and brought widespread protests that have now turned into armed rebellion against the junta.

At present, nearly 20 million people in Myanmar require humanitarian aid, out of which about 15.2 million- about a third of the population- are experiencing acute food insecurity, as per UN experts in human rights.

At-risks Communities

The WFP did not provide precise terms for the funding gap. Did it state whether it was linked to cuts in aid both domestically and globally? However, it pointed out that support withdrawal would have devastating consequences for communities dependent solely on WFP assistance.

That would certainly include around 100,000 internally displaced persons with similar communities from Rohingya Muslims and other vulnerable groups.

https://x.com/AFP/status/1900445888692314291

Worry Over the Hungry Season

Food shortages are likely as the lean season approaches 

between July and September. With such high alarm bells, the WFP said, it is important to listen because Myanmar’s military regime has allegedly suppressed information on the crisis.

Last year, Reuters reported that the junta pressured researchers against collecting data from hunger and prevented aid workers from bringing out reports on the food crisis, thus making relief efforts even tougher. 

Its effects could push millions to impending starvation as humanitarian tragedies deepen in Myanmar- with the worst hitting an already bad situation.