Food Crisis Looms: WFP Faces Funding Crisis in Myanmar

Over a million people in Myanmar risk losing food aid as the World Food Programme faces funding shortages. Conflict and displacement have increased food insecurity, affecting millions. With critical funding gaps, extensive humanitarian needs remain unmet, impacting vulnerable populations including the Rohingya community.

Myanmar faces an impending food crisis as more than a million people stand to lose access to vital food assistance from the World Food Programme (WFP) due to significant funding shortfalls. The announcement comes amid rising conflict and displacement that have sharply escalated food aid demands.

The WFP, recognized as the world's largest humanitarian organization, has already had to cut operations in regions including Afghanistan and parts of Africa, citing insufficient funding. In Myanmar specifically, nearly a third of the population faces acute food insecurity, exacerbated by the ongoing conflict following the military's takeover in 2021.

Efforts to address this shortfall include appeals to global leaders for support. U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres emphasized the urgency during a visit to Bangladesh's Rohingya refugee camps, where food rations have already been cut. The WFP requires $60 million to sustain this year's operations in Myanmar as conflict and security challenges hinder local agriculture.

(With inputs from agencies.)