The World Food Programme (WFP) has reported a fragile recovery in Myanmar, one year after a devastating earthquake struck the nation. Latest monitoring indicates that in the affected regions of Sagaing and Mandalay, one in six households are still grappling with moderate to severe food insecurity. Additionally, half of all families remain only marginally food secure, leaving them exceptionally vulnerable to minor disruptions.
“People who survived the earthquake have barely begun to stand again, and now another blow is knocking them back down,” stated WFP Country Director Michael Dunford.
Middle East Conflict Exacerbates Price Increases
The ongoing conflict in the Middle East is significantly disrupting transportation networks and causing fuel shortages throughout Myanmar. This has led to increased costs for transporting food and agricultural goods, placing further strain on households already struggling to afford basic necessities. The crisis is also impacting Myanmar’s farmers as they prepare for the upcoming monsoon crops. With fertilizer demand expected to rise in the next three months, fuel shortages and escalating input costs threaten to double production expenses compared to last year.
Earthquake and Conflict Areas Experience Hardest Hit
These compounding shocks are projected to disproportionately affect areas already impacted by conflict and the earthquake, including Chin, Kachin, Kayah, Rakhine, Sagaing, and Shan. This is expected to worsen food insecurity in a country where 12.4 million people, nearly a quarter of the population, are already facing acute hunger. Over the past year, the WFP has provided relief and recovery support to half a million earthquake survivors. The organization has now shifted its focus from emergency relief to restoring community infrastructure that promotes long-term stability.
Urgent Funding Needs Identified
The WFP requires $150 million to assist 1.5 million people across the country this year with life-saving assistance and resilience support. Insufficient funding will compel the agency to prioritize the most critical life-saving needs, potentially reducing recovery efforts aimed at helping earthquake survivors rebuild their livelihoods and decrease long-term reliance on aid.
“The people of Myanmar have endured shock after shock – conflict, climate disasters, the devastating earthquake, and now a global fuel crisis,” Mr. Dunford said. “We must stand with them now. One year after the earthquake, they cannot afford another fall.”
