More than a million people in Myanmar are set to lose access to vital food aid from the World Food Programme next month due to a severe funding shortfall, exacerbating the country’s ongoing humanitarian crisis amid escalating conflict and displacement.
Over a million people in Myanmar will lose access to life-saving food aid provided by the World Food Programme (WFP) starting next month, following severe funding shortages. This is the latest in a series of cuts to the U.N. agency's humanitarian efforts, as it grapples with escalating global crises and a lack of financial support.
The WFP issued a stark warning on Friday, stating that the cuts would severely impact vulnerable populations who are entirely dependent on food aid. The agency highlighted the ongoing challenges in Myanmar, where the combination of conflict, displacement, and access restrictions has significantly increased food assistance needs.
Myanmar has been in turmoil since the military coup in February 2021, which ousted the democratically elected government. The coup sparked widespread protests and has since evolved into a full-scale rebellion, further destabilizing the country. Nearly 20 million people in Myanmar are currently in need of humanitarian aid, and approximately 15.2 million, or roughly one-third of the population, are facing acute food insecurity, according to U.N. human rights experts.
Despite these dire circumstances, funding for humanitarian efforts has fallen short. The WFP has been forced to reduce operations in several countries, including Afghanistan and parts of Africa, as well as in refugee camps in Bangladesh. The agency has warned that without a $60 million influx of funding, it will be unable to maintain its current operations in Myanmar throughout 2023.
The funding shortfall is part of a broader global crisis in humanitarian assistance, with many organizations facing the challenge of meeting the needs of millions affected by conflict and poverty. The WFP did not specify whether the funding gap was linked to cuts in U.S. foreign aid under the Trump administration, but it has raised concerns about the sustainability of its operations moving forward.
The cuts will have a devastating impact on communities across Myanmar, particularly the internally displaced people (IDPs) and marginalized groups, including the Rohingya Muslim minority. Around 100,000 people in Myanmar, including the Rohingya, are at risk of losing access to food aid. The situation is particularly dire as Myanmar approaches its lean season, from July to September, when food shortages typically worsen.
In addition to the immediate food insecurity, the ongoing conflict has contaminated farmland with landmines and unexploded ordnance, while agricultural equipment has been destroyed. These factors make it increasingly difficult for local farmers to produce enough food to meet the needs of their communities. Furthermore, massive displacement has led to a shortage of workers, with many fleeing conscription by the military.
In Bangladesh, U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres visited the world’s largest refugee settlement in Cox’s Bazar, where over a million Rohingya refugees already live in dire poverty. Guterres promised to work with global partners to prevent further cuts to food rations in refugee camps, where the WFP will reduce food assistance to just $6 per month per person starting in April.
The humanitarian crisis in Myanmar is expected to worsen in the coming months unless significant international support is provided. The WFP has called for urgent financial contributions to avoid further disruption to food aid and to ensure that vulnerable populations receive the support they need during this critical time.
In a bold move to prioritise American interests, President Donald J. Trump has signed a Presidential Memorandum directing the withdrawal of the United...
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security has said it may deploy additional federal agents to Minnesota following the fatal shooting of a woman by an I...
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres expressed regret on Thursday over the decision by the Trump administration to withdraw from 31 entities linked t...
A significant development in the complex Azerbaijan - Armenia scenario is the growing confrontation between Armenia’s political leadership and the A...
The ongoing conflict in Ukraine and the broader geopolitical tensions surrounding territorial disputes and the Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant have drawn s...
Myanmar’s military junta has granted amnesty to more than 6,000 prisoners nationwide as the country marked its 78th Independence Day, local media reported on Sunday.
Voters in Myanmar began casting ballots on Sunday in a general election organised by the ruling military government, the first since a 2021 coup plunged the country into civil war, amid widespread doubts over the credibility of the vote.
December 2025 promises a month full of transformative moments, from significant legal releases and international meetings to cultural milestones and controversial elections. Here’s a look at the key stories set to unfold.
China on Monday sentenced 16 individuals linked to gangs operating from northern Myanmar to death for their roles in telecom fraud and other serious crimes.
Open-source intelligence (OSINT) sources reported a significant movement of U.S. military aircraft towards the Middle East in recent hours. Dozens of U.S. Air Force aerial refuelling tankers and heavy transport aircraft were observed heading eastwards, presumably to staging points in the region.
Snow and ice stalled travellers in northwest Europe on Wednesday, forcing around a thousand to spend the night in Amsterdam's Schiphol airport but delighting others who set out to explore a snow-blanketed Paris on sledges and skis.
Diplomatic tensions between Tokyo and Beijing escalated as Japan slams China's export ban on dual-use goods. Markets have wobbled as fears grow over a potential rare earth embargo affecting global supply chains.
Two people have been killed after a private helicopter crashed at a recreation centre in Russia’s Perm region, Russian authorities and local media have said.
Iran’s chief justice has warned protesters there will be “no leniency for those who help the enemy against the Islamic Republic”, as rights groups reported a rising death toll during what observers describe as the country’s biggest wave of unrest in three years.
Türkiye’s UN envoy called on the international community on Thursday to maintain strong support for the elimination of Syria’s remaining chemical weapons, stressing that the task is both a legal obligation and a critical priority for regional security and humanitarian protection.
Georgia has said it will clarify the circumstances surrounding the U.S. seizure of a Russian‑flagged oil tanker in the North Atlantic and is seeking information on its Georgian crew members.
In a bold move to prioritise American interests, President Donald J. Trump has signed a Presidential Memorandum directing the withdrawal of the United States from 66 international organisations, including both non-United Nations entities and several UN-related bodies.
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security has said it may deploy additional federal agents to Minnesota following the fatal shooting of a woman by an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officer.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres expressed regret on Thursday over the decision by the Trump administration to withdraw from 31 entities linked to the United Nations.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment