Lack of funds means more than 1 million people in Myanmar will lose food assistance, says UN

MORE than one million people in war-torn Myanmar will be cut off from food assistance due to critical funding shortfalls, the United Nations food agency said today.

The World Food Programme said the distribution of most food rations in Myanmar would end in April, even as the country faces a desperate humanitarian crisis caused by bitter fighting between the military government and powerful rebel militias. 

The WFP said it would need $60 million (£46.3m) to continue food assistance in Myanmar and called on its partners to identify additional funding.

It was not immediately clear whether the WFP decision was directly related to the US administration’s recent efforts to stop most foreign aid and dismantle the US Agency for International Development, which have had wide-ranging effects on humanitarian efforts around the globe.

In today’s statement, the UN agency said 15.2 million people, nearly one-third of the total population, are unable to meet their minimum daily food needs and some 2.3 million face emergency levels of hunger.

Michael Dunford, its representative and country director in Myanmar, said: “WFP remains steadfast in its commitment to support the people of Myanmar, but more immediate funding is crucial to continue reaching those in need.”

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