The European Union (EU) has contributed EUR 6.5 million to the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) towards its humanitarian assistance in Myanmar, where some 15 million people are facing moderate or severe food insecurity. High costs of fuel and food – the latter has risen by 62 percent year-on-year – are putting staples like rice and cooking oil increasingly out of reach for many.
Disruptions to supply chains and markets due to continuing conflict and displacement in parts of the country are threatening the day-to-day food security of millions more.
Working with communities and local non-governmental organizations on the ground, WFP will provide life-saving food, cash, and nutrition support for the most vulnerable families, including those in areas affected by conflict. More than 800,000 people in the southeast, northwest, and border areas, as well as impoverished peri-urban Yangon, will be reached thanks to the continued EU humanitarian support. The funding was made through the EU’s Directorate-General for European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations, also known as DG ECHO.
“Conflict and food insecurity unfortunately always go hand in hand,” said Stephen Anderson, WFP Country Director and Representative in Myanmar. “This timely EU humanitarian funding will help WFP sustain our assistance to families uncertain of where their next meal will come from. WFP food has been a lifeline for millions of people and will remain to be in the foreseeable future.”
Since the start of 2022, WFP has reached nearly 3 million people with food, nutrition, and livelihood support across the country. With access to populations in greatest need remaining largely constrained, the EU and WFP call for uninterrupted and sustained access, particularly to those uprooted by recent violence in Chin, Kayah, Magway, and Sagaing. It is imperative that the international community further steps up its financial support for the people of Myanmar.