The World Food Programme (WFP) is sounding the alarm about a worsening hunger crisis in Myanmar’s Rakhine State, where conflict and funding cuts have left families desperate for food, according to the latest announcement. More than half of families in central Rakhine – 57 percent – can’t afford basic food needs, up sharply from 33 percent in December. The situation in northern Rakhine is likely even worse due to active fighting and blocked access for aid workers.
WFP’s community networks are reporting disturbing signs of desperation across the region. Families are going into debt, begging for food, and pulling children out of school. Some are turning to human trafficking as a last resort. Domestic violence and social tensions are rising as people struggle to survive.
The crisis stems from ongoing conflict, severe movement restrictions, skyrocketing food prices, and massive cuts to humanitarian funding. WFP had to slash support to over one million people across Myanmar in April due to money shortages. “People are trapped in a vicious cycle; cut off by conflict, stripped of livelihoods, and left with no humanitarian safety net,” said Michael Dunford, WFP’s country director. He described heartbreaking reports of hungry children crying and mothers skipping meals.
WFP is trying to restart limited aid in the hardest-hit areas but needs $30 million to help 270,000 people in Rakhine over the next six months. The agency is pushing for more international funding and demanding that local authorities allow unrestricted humanitarian access to affected communities.
Dunford warned that without immediate action, the crisis will become a full-blown disaster. The international community can’t afford to ignore what’s happening in Rakhine State as families face increasingly desperate choices just to stay alive.