WFP (World Food Programme)

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Websites/Multiple Documents

Title: Results of a Google site-specfic search for "Myanmar" on the WFP site
Description: About 14,500 results (September 2016)
Source/publisher: WFP via Google
Date of entry/update: 2009-01-29
Grouping: Websites/Multiple Documents
Language: English
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Title: Search results for "Myanmar"on the WFP site
Source/publisher: World Food Programme
Date of entry/update: 2011-01-04
Grouping: Websites/Multiple Documents
Language: English
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Title: WFP Myanmar page
Source/publisher: World Food Programme
Date of entry/update: 2010-01-04
Grouping: Websites/Multiple Documents
Language: English
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Individual Documents

Title: Myanmar Community Resilience Project: Environmental and Social Management Framework
Description: "Executive Summary: Under the Myanmar Community Resilience Project (MCRP), the World Bank will be supporting World Food Programme’s (WFP’s) proposed interventions within the scope of its life-saving food and nutrition assistance to conflict-affected populations in Rakhine State in Myanmar. The objective of the MCRP is to improve food security and livelihoods resilience of vulnerable populations in selected areas of Myanmar. WFP interventions under the Project will support targeted relief and nutrition assistance through food transfers and cash-based transfers to populations affected by crisis, as well as provision of specialized nutritious foods to pregnant and lactating women and adolescent girls and children under 5 in Rakhine State. This Environmental and Social Management Framework (ESMF) has been prepared to identify the potential environmental and social risks and impacts of proposed Project activities and propose suitable mitigation measures to manage these risks and impacts. It maps out the general WFP and World Bank policies appliable for the Project, and describes the principles, approaches, implementation arrangements, and environmental and social mitigation measures to be followed. The potential environmental and social risks for project activities are identified as: Potential exclusion of disadvantaged or vulnerable households; Potential exclusion of ethnic minorities due to access challenges or language barriers; Risks to project workers (including health and safety risks, security risks, child labor or forced labor, COVID-19 risks, and sexual exploitation and abuse risks); Risks to community members (including safety and security risks, discrimination or exclusion, COVID 19 risks, and sexual exploitation and abuse risks); Solid waste management risks from inappropriate disposal of food packaging; Food safety risks that may stem from improper storage, transport or distribution of food assistance; and Potential for insufficient stakeholder engagement and grievance management. These risks will be managed and mitigated through the application of: The project’s operational design for targeting and selection of communities and beneficiaries; WFP policies and operational practices (including the Environmental Policy, the Protection and Accountability Policy, the Food Storage Manual, and Standard Operating Procedures on COVID-19, protection for sexual exploitation and abuse, and community engagement mechanisms); The measures included in this ESMF and the Annexes to this ESMF (including simplified Labor Management Procedures, Landmine Procedures, and a Safety and Security Approach); and The Stakeholder Engagement Plan prepared for this project. Implementation Arrangements. The project will support an extension of WFP’s current programs in Rakhine State. WFP will both implement directly and work closely with and through a strong pool of local and international NGOs in implementing and monitoring its program. At WFP, the project will be overseen by the Deputy Country Director (Programme) and will be directly managed by the Head of Programme (both based in Nay Pyi Taw). Cooperating partners (CPs) will act as an implementing partner for some of the activities. The CPs will be mobilized to support WFP in assessing, distributing, and monitoring activities of the project. WFP will retain responsibility and technical oversight of CPs work. Agreements with CPs will include the requirement to comply with the environmental and social mitigation measures outlined in this ESMF. Local contractors, such as transportation companies, will be required to comply with the Project’s environmental and social risk management measures, including the national laws and regulations and the ESMF. Monitoring. WFP’s monitoring activities are guided by WFP’s Standard Operating Procedures for monitoring and tailored tools for distribution and post-distribution monitoring. WFP conducts monthly distribution monitoring focusing on distribution output and process, in addition to three rounds of detailed post-distribution monitoring which focus on the outcomes of WFP operations. WFP teams working to implement the project will ensure that monitoring practices include the environmental and social risks identified in the ESMF and will monitor the implementation of E&S risk management measures as part of regular project monitoring. A separate Stakeholder Engagement Plan (SEP) has been prepared for the Project, based on WFP’s Community Engagement Mechanism Standard Operating Procedures for Myanmar and the World Bank’s Environmental and Social Standard 10 on Stakeholder Engagement. Under its Standard Operating Procedures for its Community Engagement Mechanism WFP already has an operational and accessible community feedback mechanism/grievance mechanism, which has various culturally appropriate means for stakeholders to raise feedback. This grievance mechanism will also be used for the World Bank supported project activities to receive and facilitate resolution of concerns and grievances. The grievance mechanism is also equipped to receive, register and facilitate the resolution of sexual exploitation and abuse complaints, in accordance with the WFP Standard Operating Procedures on sexual exploitation and abuse. WFP has a team of trained focal points to ensure referral of survivors to relevant service providers in a safe, confidential and survivor-centered manner..."
Source/publisher: World Food Programme (Rome) via reliefweb (New York)
Date of publication: 2023-10-24
Date of entry/update: 2023-10-24
Grouping: Individual Documents
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Title: Corporate Emergency Evaluation of WFP’s Response in Myanmar 2018-2022
Description: "The evaluation assessed WFP’s work in the country from September 2017 to December 2022 to meet accountability requirements and identify learning. It aimed to inform the design of a new interim country strategic plan (ICSP) for Myanmar and WFP’s emergency response practice globally. While the focus of the evaluation was on the corporate emergency response to a series of crises affecting Myanmar, it also covered WFP’s work under the entire country strategic plan (CSP) for 2018–2023, with a special emphasis on the period from 2020 onwards. The evaluation concluded that: WFP achieved a major scale-up in response to consecutive crises in Myanmar, using its growing role as a humanitarian agency prudently and effectively, in coordination with United Nations partners. It carefully managed risks and balanced tensions between humanitarian principles but risks to cooperating partners require more attention. While assistance was effectively targeted in areas with access, humanitarian needs in conflict-affected areas are likely to be underestimated, which could lead to significant coverage gaps . Several shocks in Myanmar have diverted WFP from its original CSP goal of providing support for medium-term, government-led development. In the post-military takeover context, WFP lacked a strategic approach for resilience building at community and systems levels..."
Source/publisher: World Food Programme (Rome) via reliefweb (New York)
Date of publication: 2023-10-02
Date of entry/update: 2023-10-03
Grouping: Individual Documents
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Format : pdf pdf
Size: 2.74 MB 3.2 MB
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Title: WFP Myanmar Situation Report, Cyclone Mocha (12 June 2023)
Description: "In Numbers 3.4 million people are living in Cyclone Mocha’s highest impact zone 1.6 million people targeted for the UN cyclone response At least 800,000 cyclone-affected people are prioritized for WFP’s food and nutrition support for an initial three-month period Highlights WFP has reached 394,400 people across Rakhine State within the first month of its cyclone response with emergency food assistance. WFP’s ongoing market monitoring in central Rakhine showed a decrease in the prices of some food commodities, particularly rice, following WFP’s in-kind food distributions. WFP will face a critical interruption in all its life-saving activities, starting from August 2023, without a fresh injection of critical funding. WFP urgently needs US$60 million to ensure uninterrupted emergency food and nutrition assistance. Situation Update The impact of Cyclone Mocha exacerbated an already precarious food security situation, particularly in townships and displacement sites in Rakhine State, where households experienced a substantial loss of food stocks and livelihoods, with their shelters destroyed. Local relief and recovery efforts are ongoing across several cyclone-affected areas. WFP’s initial rapid situation monitoring in five cyclone-affected townships showed that agricultural land, fishponds, and drinking water supplies have been impacted by saltwater intrusion. Extensive crop damage, including rice seed stocks for the planting season starting in June, adds significant pressure on the medium-to-longer-term food security of households who are already grappling with disrupted livelihood activities. Preliminary results of WFP’s ongoing market monitoring in central Rakhine showed a decrease in the prices of some food commodities, particularly rice, following WFP’s in-kind food distributions. WFP will continue to monitor the market situation, which will inform the gradual resumption and potential expansion of its cash-based transfer (CBT) activities in Rakhine..."
Source/publisher: World Food Programme (Rome) via reliefweb (New York)
Date of publication: 2023-06-12
Date of entry/update: 2023-06-12
Grouping: Individual Documents
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Title: WFP steps up assistance to those affected by Cyclone Mocha in Myanmar
Description: "SITTWE – WFP and its local partners have reached over 230,000 people with life-saving food assistance in the wake of Cyclone Mocha, the most destructive storm to strike Myanmar in over a decade. Within 72 hours after landfall on 14 May, WFP began food distributions in Sittwe, Rakhine’s state capital, which suffered considerable damage. The cyclone has flattened houses, destroyed livelihoods, and disrupted telecommunications, power, and supply chains. “This is a climate emergency within a much larger complex emergency. Being already displaced, cyclone survivors now have been left with next to nothing, rendering them even more vulnerable,” said Stephen Anderson, WFP Country Director in Myanmar. “WFP and partners are moving quickly to transport and distribute our existing stocks of food to all those in need wherever they are, but these supplies are rapidly dwindling. Support from the international community is urgently required.” Here is an update on WFP’s response in the aftermath of the cyclone: So far, WFP and partners have supported over 230,000 cyclone-affected people with life-saving food assistance in Rakhine state and Magway region. This includes families previously displaced by conflict and Rohingya communities living in camps in central Rakhine and villages in northern Rakhine. WFP food assistance has so far reached affected people in Kyauktaw, Kyaukphyu, Mrauk-U, Myaebon, Pauktaw, Ponnagyun, Rathedaung and Sittwe townships in central Rakhine and Buthidaung and Maungdaw in northern Rakhine, with plans to expand. WFP is mobilizing resources to provide 800,000 people with emergency food and cash for an initial three months in areas devastated by Cyclone Mocha. WFP is appealing for US$60 million to deliver emergency food and nutrition assistance to 2.1 million highly food-insecure people until the end of the year throughout the country. This includes US$ 23 million just to support 440,000 people newly affected by the cyclone. Unless additional funding is confirmed soon, all of WFP’s life-saving programmes will be interrupted in August 2023. In the hardest hit areas, the most pressing needs are food, shelter, drinking water and sanitation, according to early monitoring by WFP and partners. The destruction caused by the cyclone impacts immediate and longer-term food security. Salt water has contaminated farmland and fishponds, while rice seed stocks and livestock have been devastated. The United Nations World Food Programme is the world’s largest humanitarian organization saving lives in emergencies and using food assistance to build a pathway to peace, stability and prosperity for people recovering from conflict, disasters and the impact of climate change..."
Source/publisher: World Food Programme (Rome) via reliefweb (New York)
Date of publication: 2023-05-30
Date of entry/update: 2023-05-30
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Title: Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh face grim choices as more cuts to food assistance imminent
Description: "DHAKA – Just weeks after thousands of Rohingya refugees lost their homes to Cyclone Mocha, they face another blow as funding shortages force the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) to cut food vouchers in Cox’s Bazar to just US$ 8, or less than 9 cents per meal. Funding shortfalls already forced WFP to cut its food vouchers from US$ 12 to US$ 10 per person per month, in March this year. “We are appealing for urgent support so that we can restore rations to the full amount as soon as possible. Anything less than US$ 12 has dire consequences not only on nutrition for women and children, but also protection, safety and security for everyone in the camps,” said Dom Scalpelli, WFP Resident Representative and Country Director in Bangladesh. Six years into the refugee crisis, nearly one million Rohingya remain stranded in the camps in Bangladesh without livelihood opportunities and relying entirely on humanitarian assistance to survive. Even with WFP’s food assistance, four in 10 families were not consuming enough food and 12 percent of children were acutely malnourished. This was before the ration cut. With less food to get by, refugees have little choice but to resort to negative coping mechanisms. Children may be withdrawn from school or girls offered in child marriage. If refugees seek illegal employment, they face heightened risks of exploitation and abuse, and may fuel tensions between the refugees and the host community. Those desperate enough to take to the high seas face dangerous journeys and uncertain fates. The Rohingya continue to live under the constant threat of extreme climate. While Cox’s Bazar was spared a direct hit when Cyclone Mocha made landfall on 14 May, considerable destruction to shelters and infrastructure occurred in the camps. “WFP food assistance is the only reliable source of food for the Rohingya. We are extremely grateful for all contributions received so far, but we still need US$ 56 million to restore the full ration and keep this lifeline intact until the end of the year,” said Scalpelli. # # # The United Nations World Food Programme is the world’s largest humanitarian organization, saving lives in emergencies and using food assistance to build a pathway to peace, stability and prosperity for people recovering from conflict, disasters and the impact of climate change..."
Source/publisher: World Food Programme (Rome)
Date of publication: 2023-05-26
Date of entry/update: 2023-05-26
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Title: WFP Myanmar and Bangladesh Situation Report, Cyclone Mocha (26 May 2023)
Description: "In Numbers 3.4 million people are living in Cyclone Mocha’s highest impact zone (Myanmar), of which 1.6 million are targeted for the cyclone response 780,000 people in Bangladesh, including refugees in all 33 Rohingya refugee camps, plus Bangladeshi communities, were affected Highlights In Myanmar, WFP has reached 115,900 people in the first ten days of its cyclone response across Rakhine State with emergency food and cash. In Bangladesh, WFP reached over 14,100 Rohingya refugees with hot meals and biscuits from 13 to 20 May. WFP is providing common services to other United Nations (UN) agencies by transporting relief cargo and providing warehousing support. Situation Update Cyclone Mocha hit an already vulnerable area, with substantial numbers of displaced and crisis-affected people reliant on humanitarian assistance. In Myanmar, 3.4 million people were living in the highest impact zone.3 In Bangladesh, the cyclone severely affected 780,000 people, including 536,000 Rohingya refugees and 243,000 Bangladeshis. In Myanmar, an estimated 8,500 mt of rice and USD 1.5 million in cash-based transfers (CBT) will be required to assist 800,000 existing and newly cyclone- affected beneficiaries during the first month of the cyclone response. Out of these 800,000 planned beneficiaries, 360,000 were existing beneficiaries in Rakhine before the cyclone and 440,000 are newly targeted people affected by the cyclone. The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) is coordinating the transfer of humanitarian relief items from Bangladesh to Myanmar. WFP stands ready to provide logistics support to this initiative, subject to approval from the authorities in Bangladesh and Myanmar, as well as the availability of funding..."
Source/publisher: World Food Programme (Rome) via reliefweb (New York)
Date of publication: 2023-05-26
Date of entry/update: 2023-05-26
Grouping: Individual Documents
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Title: WFP Myanmar and Bangladesh Situation Report, Cyclone Mocha (24 May 2023)
Description: "Highlights Two flash appeals were launched on 23 May, seeking to support 1.6 million people in Myanmar, and 780,000 people in Bangladesh. In Myanmar, WFP has reached 87,000 people in central and northern Rakhine State through emergency cyclone response and regular relief distributions. Situation Update Cyclone Mocha hit an already vulnerable area, with substantial numbers of displaced and crisis-affected people reliant on humanitarian assistance. In Myanmar, 3.4 million people were living in the highest impact zone. In Bangladesh, the cyclone severely affected 780,000 people, including 536,000 Rohingya refugees and 243,000 Bangladeshis. Cyclone Mocha flash appeals were launched for Myanmar and Bangladesh yesterday, 23 May. o In Myanmar, a US$333 million flash appeal was launched, seeking to support 1.6 million people across five areas (Rakhine, Chin, Sagaing, Magway, and Kachin). o In Bangladesh, the Rohingya Refugee Response and the Humanitarian Country Task Team issued a flash appeal amounting to US$42.1 million to respond to Cyclone Mocha and enhance preparedness for the monsoon season a few weeks away. o In northern Rakhine State, WFP has so far reached 22,400 cyclone-affected people and 10,900 people through regular relief distributions. Both cyclone response and regular relief distributions are ongoing. WFP’s available rice stocks (500 mt) in Sittwe – one of the hardest hit areas – will be distributed today and tomorrow. WFP is working to temporarily divert or loan other stocks to central Rakhine State and is assessing the feasibility of distributing cash to some beneficiaries. Fifteen trucks carrying 142 mt of HEBs arrived on 23 May in Sittwe from Yangon, and another ten trucks carrying 200 mt of rice are en route. WFP has requested travel authorization to move a further 2,000 mt of rice by road from Yangon to Sittwe as soon as possible..."
Source/publisher: World Food Programme (Rome) via reliefweb (New York)
Date of publication: 2023-05-24
Date of entry/update: 2023-05-24
Grouping: Individual Documents
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Title: WFP Myanmar and Bangladesh Situation Report, Cyclone Mocha (22 May 2023)
Description: "Highlights In Myanmar, WFP has reached 36,000 people across Rakhine State through emergency food and cash distributions, including 5,000 people who received their regular monthly assistance. In Bangladesh, since the onset of Cyclone Mocha, WFP has reached more than 6,200 refugees with hot meals and fortified biscuits in Cox’s Bazar since 13 May, and more than 5,500 refugees with fortified biscuits in Bhasan Char on 14 May. WFP reaches cyclone-affected households in Rakhine State with food. Situation Update • A week since Cyclone Mocha - the strongest ever cyclone to strike Myanmar - made landfall, the scope of its destruction has become clearer. According to OCHA, Sittwe and Rathedaung townships are hardest hit in Rakhine State. The cyclone significantly damaged shelters in all communities in these areas. In Rathedaung, all rural health centres, hospitals, and public schools have been destroyed. • WFP estimates that at least 800,000 people are in urgent need of food assistance in Rakhine State, of whom 360,000 are existing beneficiaries and 440,000 are new beneficiaries affected by the cyclone. • The destruction of public infrastructure and disruption to water systems limit access to clean drinking water. Cases of diarrhoea outbreaks, especially among children, have been reported. • The field-level logistics sector coordination mechanism has been established in Sittwe, with WFP as chair and the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) as co-chair..."
Source/publisher: World Food Programme (Rome) via reliefweb (New York)
Date of publication: 2023-05-22
Date of entry/update: 2023-05-22
Grouping: Individual Documents
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Title: WFP Myanmar and Bangladesh Situation Report, Cyclone Mocha (19 May 2023)
Description: "Highlights In Myanmar, WFP has started distributing food, cash, and nutrition supplies to 190,000 cyclone-affected people in central Rakhine State today. High Energy Biscuits and rice will be provided to 6,000 affected individuals in the worst-hit villages in northern Rakhine State as part of the emergency response. In Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh, WFP reached 6,200 Rohingya refugees with emergency hot meals and fortified biscuits. In Numbers At least 800,000 people in the direct path of the cyclone will need emergency food assistance in Myanmar, according to initial estimates that could still increase. Almost 500,000 Bangladeshis are estimated to have been affected by the Cyclone; more precision is expected via UN assessments now underway. Situation Update • Cyclone Mocha’s landfall (14 May) near Sittwe, the capital of Rakhine State, has caused further distress to the already dire situation in northwest Myanmar. The cyclone was one of the strongest to ever strike Myanmar, while also inflicting damage in Bangladesh, where nearly 1 million people live in the world’s largest refugee camp. • WFP estimates that at least 800,000 people are in urgent need of food assistance in Rakhine State, of whom 360,000 are existing beneficiaries and 440,000 are new beneficiaries affected by the cyclone. • In Myanmar, the de facto authorities have announced a new structure to manage the cyclone response at the field level. In each affected township, a senior officer will be assigned to oversee response and recovery efforts..."
Source/publisher: World Food Programme (Rome) via reliefweb (New York)
Date of publication: 2023-05-19
Date of entry/update: 2023-05-19
Grouping: Individual Documents
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Title: WFP Myanmar and Bangladesh Situation Report, Cyclone Mocha (18 May 2023)
Description: "Highlights: WFP distributed rations to at least 2,000 people in cyclone shelters in Sittwe (Rakhine State) on 17 May, with plans to reach 6,000 in the coming days. More than 11,000 hot meals were provided for lunch and dinner to Rohingya refugees who are still unable to return to their shelters in Bangladesh since 13 May. In Numbers At least 800,000 people in the direct path of the cyclone will need emergency food assistance in Myanmar, according to initial estimates that could still increase..."
Source/publisher: World Food Programme (Rome) via reliefweb (New York)
Date of publication: 2023-05-18
Date of entry/update: 2023-05-18
Grouping: Individual Documents
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Title: WFP Myanmar and Bangladesh Situation Report, Cyclone Mocha (15 May 2023)
Description: "In Numbers 8.7 million people live in the path of Cyclone Mocha. The cyclone has struck near Sittwe, one of the least developed parts of Myanmar. In neighbouring Bangladesh, nearly 1 million people living in the world’s largest refugee camp also felt the storm’s impact. Highlights WFP is stepping up to respond in Bangladesh and Myanmar; WFP provided 28,000 Bangladeshis in Teknaf cash before the cyclone struck, and 3,400 Rohingya refugees with fortified biscuits. It is resuming regular assistance to Bangladesh. In Myanmar, WFP is mobilizing emergency food and nutrition assistance to 800,000 people affected by the cyclone, many of them already displaced by conflict..."
Source/publisher: World Food Programme (Rome) via reliefweb (New York)
Date of publication: 2023-05-15
Date of entry/update: 2023-05-15
Grouping: Individual Documents
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Format : pdf
Size: 7.09 MB
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Title: WFP Myanmar and Bangladesh Situation Report, Cyclone Mocha (16 May 2023)
Description: "In Numbers At least 800,000 people in the direct path of the cyclone will need emergency food assistance in Myanmar, according to initial estimates that could still increase1 960,000 Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh remain at risk and continue to receive WFP assistance. 250km/h winds were inflicted by Cyclone Mocha. Highlights In Myanmar, WFP is mobilizing emergency food and cash assistance for at least 800,000 people affected by the cyclone . Figures could still increase following assessments. In Bangladesh, WFP provided 28,000 Bangladeshis in Teknaf with cash before the cyclone struck, and 6,000 Rohingya refugees with fortified biscuits and hot meals immediately after. WFP is working to resuming its regular assistance..."
Source/publisher: World Food Programme (Rome) via reliefweb (New York)
Date of publication: 2023-05-15
Date of entry/update: 2023-05-15
Grouping: Individual Documents
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Title: WFP gears up to support people in Myanmar and Bangladesh as Cyclone Mocha approaches
Description: "BANGKOK - The World Food Programme (WFP) is closely monitoring Cyclone Mocha, which is expected to make landfall this Sunday in Myanmar and Bangladesh. Working with partners, WFP is gearing up for a large-scale emergency response, putting in place contingency plans, and prepositioning food and relief supplies, vehicles, and emergency equipment. Heavy rainfall is forecast, with the possible risk of floods and landslides, which could impact hundreds of thousands of vulnerable people in areas likely to be in the cyclone’s trajectory. In Myanmar, WFP has pre-positioned enough food to cover the needs of more than 400,000 people in Rakhine State and neighbouring areas for one month. In Bangladesh, WFP fortified biscuits and 230 mt of food stock are ready to be dispatched if needed in and around the camps for the Rohingya refugees in Cox’s Bazar. “We are preparing for the worst, while hoping for the best. Cyclone Mocha is heading to areas burdened by conflict, poverty, and weak community resilience. Many of the people most likely to be affected are already reliant on regular humanitarian assistance from WFP. They simply cannot afford another disaster,” said Sheela Matthew, WFP Myanmar Deputy Country Director. Anticipating interruptions to transport and telecommunications services, WFP teams are also putting in place systems to serve the broader humanitarian community with their preparations and potential response to the cyclone. “The Rohingya refugees are extremely vulnerable to climate shocks, given how disaster-prone the area is and the poor living conditions in the camps. We ask the donor community to continue supporting them in getting through this cyclone and also many other challenges they face, including reduced food assistance due to shrinking donor funding,” said Simone Parchment, WFP Bangladesh Deputy Country Director. Unimpeded humanitarian access to support communities in need will be critical in responding to any immediate impacts of the cyclone and for the longer-term recovery process..."
Source/publisher: World Food Programme (Rome)
Date of publication: 2023-05-13
Date of entry/update: 2023-05-13
Grouping: Individual Documents
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Title: Lack of funds forces WFP to cut rations for Rohingya in Bangladesh
Description: "DHAKA – Nearly six years into the Rohingya refugee crisis, for the first time WFP is forced to cut back its lifesaving assistance for all Rohingya living in the camps in Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh. Starting 1 March, WFP will have to reduce its General Food Assistance voucher value from US$12 to US$10 per person per month, due to a US$125 million funding shortfall. “This is a devastating blow to the Rohingya and an equally devastating blow to the humanitarian community,” said Domenico Scalpelli, WFP Country Director in Bangladesh. “With other critical services already dwindling, the repercussions of the ration cut – even if just two dollars – will be dire.” Unlike other vulnerable groups, the Rohingya have limited employment opportunities in the camps, relying almost entirely on humanitarian assistance to meet their food and other essential needs. With the support of donors and partners, WFP has been providing food, nutrition and other critical assistance to Rohingya men, women and children since their exodus from Myanmar in 2017. Today all Rohingya – nearly 1 million of them – receive food assistance via vouchers currently valued at US$12 per person per month. Families can choose from over 40 dry and fresh food items at WFP outlets throughout the camps. Despite concerted humanitarian efforts, 45 percent of Rohingya families are not eating a sufficient diet and malnutrition has been widespread in the camps. The Global Acute Malnutrition rate for children stands at 12 percent – just below the 15 percent WHO ‘Emergency’ threshold but still categorized as ‘Serious’. Some 40 percent of children have stunted growth and 40 percent of pregnant and breastfeeding women are anaemic - all this is before the ration cut. “With each ration cut, malnutrition will certainly rise. With each ration cut, families will increasingly resort to dangerous strategies to cope. Sadly, women, adolescent girls and children will be the worst affected. We must do everything possible to keep the vital humanitarian assistance they depend on intact,” said Scalpelli. Without an immediate funding boost, further ration cuts to the blanket food assistance programme are also imminent into the year..."
Source/publisher: World Food Programme (Rome)
Date of publication: 2023-02-17
Date of entry/update: 2023-02-17
Grouping: Individual Documents
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Title: Myanmar Community Resilience Project: Environmental and Social Commitment Plan (ESCP) (January 2023)
Description: "ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL COMMITMENT PLAN: The World Food Programme (WFP) (the Recipient) will implement Component 1 and Component 2 under the Myanmar Community Resilience Project (the Project), as set out in the Grant Agreement. The International Development Association (the Association), acting as the administrator of the Myanmar Multi-Donor Trust Fund, has agreed to provide financing for the Project, as set out in the referred agreement. From here on, Component 1 and Component 2 under the Myanmar Community Resilience Project will be defined as “Recipient’s Parts of the Project” in this document. The Recipient shall ensure that the Recipient’s Parts of the Project are carried out in accordance with the Environmental and Social Standards (ESSs) and this Environmental and Social Commitment Plan (ESCP), in a manner acceptable to the Association. The ESCP is a part of the Grant Agreement. Unless otherwise defined in this ESCP, capitalized terms used in this ESCP have the meanings ascribed to them in the referred agreement(s). Without limitation to the foregoing, this ESCP sets out material measures and actions that the Recipient shall carry out or cause to be carried out, including, as applicable, the timeframes of the actions and measures, institutional, staffing, training, monitoring and reporting arrangements, and grievance management. The ESCP also sets out the environmental and social (E&S) instruments that shall be adopted and implemented under the Recipient’s Parts of the Project, all of which shall be subject to prior consultation and disclosure, consistent with the ESS, and in form and substance, and in a manner acceptable to the Association. Once adopted, said E&S instruments may be revised from time to time with prior written agreement by the Association. As agreed by the Association and the Recipient, this ESCP will be revised from time to time if necessary, during Project implementation, to reflect adaptive management of Project changes and unforeseen circumstances or in response to Project performance. In such circumstances, the Recipient and the Association agree to update the ESCP to reflect these changes through an exchange of letters signed between the Association and the Recipient. The Recipient shall promptly disclose the updated ESCP..."
Source/publisher: World Food Programme (Rome) via reliefweb (New York)
Date of publication: 2023-01-30
Date of entry/update: 2023-01-30
Grouping: Individual Documents
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Title: Myanmar Community Resilience Project: Stakeholder Engagement Plan (January 2023)
Description: "Introduction: Under the Myanmar Community Resilience Project (MCRP), the World Bank will be supporting World Food Programme’s (WFP’s) proposed interventions within the scope of its life-saving food and nutrition assistance to conflict-affected populations in Rakhine State in Myanmar. The objective of the MCRP is to maintain and build resilience of vulnerable populations to enable their future development. This Stakeholder Engagement Plan (SEP) has been prepared to comply with the World Bank Environmental and Social Standard 10 on Stakeholder Engagement and covers the interventions supported by the Project that will be implemented by WFP. During the prepartion of activites under the MCRP, WFP has and will provide stakeholders with timely, relevant, understandable and accessible information, and consult with them in a culturally appropriate manner, which is free of manipulation, interference, coercion, discrimination and intimidation. The SEP outlines the ways in which the WFP has and will continue to communicate with project stakeholders and includes the description of the grievance mechanism/community feedback mechanism used by WFP for people to raise concerns, provide feedback, or make complaints about any activities related to the project. This mechanism is essential to the success of the project to ensure smooth collaboration between the WFP and local communities, as well as to minimize and mitigate environmental and social risks related to the proposed activities..."
Source/publisher: World Food Programme (Rome) via reliefweb (New York)
Date of publication: 2023-01-30
Date of entry/update: 2023-01-30
Grouping: Individual Documents
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Title: DIEM – Data in Emergencies Monitoring brief, round 4 - Results and recommendations (January 2023)
Description: "Key highlights: Based on the remote Consolidated Approach for Reporting Indicators of Food Security (rCARI), 27 percent of households are considered food insecure and, according to the Food Insecurity Experience Scale (FIES), 29 percent are recently moderately or severely food insecure. The states and regions of Chin, Kayah, Kayin, Rakhine and Sagaing had the worst food security outcomes across all indicators. The reliance on food-related coping strategies has increased, particularly the consumption of less preferred or less expensive food, employed by four out of ten households. One in two households had to rely on crisis and emergency coping mechansisms that are more difficult to reverse and likely to reduce future income streams and production levels. Asset-depletion among farmers could be a contributing factor to poor production. Poor production is associated with food insecurity at a household level, but there are also concerns for future agricultural production. Sustained retrenchment of the area planted compared to previous rounds was reported. The 2022 main rainfed paddy crop, which accounts for more than 80 percent of the annual production, was expected to be below-average as harvest was approaching at the time of the survey. The share of farmers that reported a drop in production has grown from 45 percent in the second round, to 49 percent in the third round and 54 percent in the current round. Farmers in Rakhine State expect particularly poor production. In Chin, Magway, Sagaing, Tanintharyi and Yangon, a high share of households also expect harvest to be below normal. Forty-seven percent of livestock producers experienced a decrease in herd/flock size, particularly among swine and poultry producers. The incidence of livestock diseases decreased, and market access improved, but the share of reported difficulties accessing feed and pastures has increased. Households in conflict-affected areas, rural households, female-headed households, households with debt, and those vulnerable to economic shocks had the worst food security outcomes. These findings suggest a need for food assistance to the most vulnerable households and agricultural assistance to support production in the upcoming season..."
Source/publisher: Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations and World Food Programme via "Reliefweb" (New York)
Date of publication: 2023-01-25
Date of entry/update: 2023-01-25
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Title: WFP Myanmar Market Price Update (November 2022)
Description: "(Excerpt) Key factors driving price changes Kachin Egg, rice, and onion price increases due to increased transportation costs in Putao, Tanai, and Mansi. In Hpakant increases in the price of rice due to vehicles carrying rice not allowed to pass. Tanintharyi Dawei, Yebyu - chickpea prices increased due to less stock and growing demand for pulses produced in Mon state. Most traders and shop owners order pulses from Mawlamyine. Magway Pakokku - less onions available on the market and scarcity of Sadawpe pulses during the growing season so prices increased. Magway and Minbu price of peanuts and peanut oil increased due to increased demand locally. Central Rakhine Traders mentioned the political situation and transport difficulties. Yangon North Okkalapa - onion and chickpea prices increased due to increased wholesale prices. Shan NawngHkit, Linhaw, Namtu - mixed oil and egg prices increased due to slightly higher transportation costs..."
Source/publisher: World Food Programme (Rome) via reliefweb (New York)
Date of publication: 2023-01-03
Date of entry/update: 2023-01-03
Grouping: Individual Documents
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Title: WFP Myanmar Situation Report (September 2022)
Description: "In Numbers 11 million people are facing acute food insecurity 1.38 million people are displaced 4 million people are targeted for WFP assistance 2.7 million people assisted by WFP in 2022 Highlights • In September, WFP reached close to 780,000 people with food and cash assistance, including 26,000 internally displaced people (IDP) and other vulnerable people who received WFP assistance for the first time. • In 2022, WFP has thus far assisted 2.7 million crisisaffected people across Myanmar with emergency food, livelihoods, and nutrition support. Situation Update • Food prices continued to soar in September, with an increase of 14 percent compared to August. WFP’s price monitoring showed a 62 percent year-on-year increase in the cost of a basic food basket. The cost of cooking oil was up by 137 percent, and rice was up by 53 percent. Fuel prices remained steady but nearly double (+94 percent) that of last year. • The temporary suspension of humanitarian assistance, announced in mid-September, in six townships in Rakhine State remains in place, currently affecting some 60,000 WFP beneficiaries. WFP is working with concerned authorities to resume cash and food deliveries to beneficiaries as soon as possible. • Financial situation: The Financial Action Task Force (FATF) has placed Myanmar on its blacklist, on grounds of serious deficiencies in the country’s ability to counter money laundering and terrorist financing. International financial transfers will be subject to increased monitoring and restrictions. The decision may affect WFP’s ability to maintain cash flows into the country. Delays and additional costs are expected. • Humanitarian situation: UNHCR estimates more than 1.38 million people are internally displaced by conflict in Myanmar as of 10 October. Of whom, more than 1 million have been displaced since February 2021, with 734,000 displaced in 2022 alone. This comes on top of a further 330,000 protracted IDPs before February 2021..."
Source/publisher: World Food Programme (WFP) (Rome) via reliefweb (New York)
Date of publication: 2022-10-26
Date of entry/update: 2022-10-26
Grouping: Individual Documents
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Title: WFP Myanmar Situation Report (August 2022)
Description: "In Numbers 11 million people are facing acute food insecurity 1.3 million people are displaced 4 million people are targeted for WFP assistance 2.6 million people reached in 2022 to date Highlights • In response to rising inflation and a surge in local and global food prices, WFP increased the value of cash-based transfers in August. The change will cost WFP an additional US$ 450,000 per month. • In August, WFP reached more than 1 million people with food and cash assistance, including 33,300 internally displaced people (IDPs) who received WFP assistance for the first time. • In 2022, WFP has assisted 2.6 million conflict-affected people across Myanmar with emergency food, livelihoods and nutrition support. Situation Update • Humanitarian situation: UNOCHA estimates that 1.3 million people are internally displaced by conflict in Myanmar – 974,000 since February 2021 and 653,000 in 2022 alone. A further 330,000 are protracted IDPs, displaced before February 2021. • Security has deteriorated across the country, particularly in Chin, Kayah and Rakhine states. Increased clashes have led to new population displacements and further restrictions on humanitarian access. • Economy: The value of the national currency, the Myanmar kyat (MMK), dropped rapidly in August, trading at around MMK3,500 to the US Dollar in the informal market, compared with MMK1800 in early 2022. The volatility is creating a surge in basic commodity prices. • Food security: An estimated 11 million people – 20 percent of the total population – are facing acute food insecurity according to a household survey jointly conducted by WFP and the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) in March 2022. A new round of WFP assessments is underway to evaluate the impact of recent economic shocks, including rising food and fuel prices. • Food prices appeared to have stabilised between June and July but continued to climb in August. Early indications from WFP’s price monitoring in August suggest the cost of a basic food basket was 54 percent higher compared to the same time last year. • Banking regulations imposed on 1 September require WFP beneficiaries to present an official identity card when collecting their cash entitlements through financial service providers..."
Source/publisher: World Food Programme (Rome) via reliefweb (New York)
Date of publication: 2022-09-21
Date of entry/update: 2022-09-21
Grouping: Individual Documents
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Title: WFP Myanmar Market Price Update (May 2022)
Description: "Highlights: The cost of the basic food basket (rice, oil, chickpeas, salt) remained stable in most areas, except in Mon where the price of chickpeas and salt increased as the rainy season contributed to ongoing transportation challenges and costs. Edible oil prices were stable overall in May, although with some variation seen across markets due to transportation costs. It is unclear to what extent the rate setting of edible oil prices at wholesale level, implemented by the Ministry of Commerce in an effort to stem price escalation, affected retail prices in retail markets. Slight seasonal increases in rice prices (+3% overall) were observed as planting season got underway. Egg prices continue to rise (+10%) due in large part to high costs of chicken feed, linked to declining availability of livestock feed amidst Russia-Ukraine conflict. Almost all areas are now seeing prices more than 50% higher than last year. Tomato prices increased across most markets due to decline in local seasonal production. Transportation is still affected everywhere by insecurity (particularly in Chin, Sagaing and Kayin) as well as the high costs of fuel – Octane fuels rose by about 13% and diesel by about 24% month-on-month since April and are more than double that of one year ago..."
Source/publisher: World Food Programme (Rome) via reliefweb (New York)
Date of publication: 2022-07-05
Date of entry/update: 2022-07-05
Grouping: Individual Documents
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Title: WFP Myanmar Situation Report (May 2022)
Description: "Key Facts WFP has assisted more than 2 million people in Myanmar during the first quarter of 2022, with plans to assist at least 4 million by the end of the year. Those assisted mainly include people newly displaced by conflict, people living in prolonged displacement, and poor urban dwellers – mostly women and children – whose livelihoods and food security status have been affected by the economic crisis. WFP continues to seek humanitarian access to tens of thousands of displaced and vulnerable populations in active conflict zones who are in urgent need of emergency food and nutrition assistance. Funding Requirements WFP requires USD 66.8 million between June to December 2022 to ensure uninterrupted support to its beneficiaries. Of the required amount, USD 43.8 million (66 percent) is for life-saving food assistance. Funding for urban operations is expected to run out in August, while cash-based operations in crisis-affected areas will face interruptions in September 2022, affecting IDPs and other vulnerable people. Situation Update Escalating conflict and displacement: Clashes between the Myanmar Armed Forces (MAF) and various armed groups have continued to escalate in 2022, especially in the north-west and the south-east regions of the country. Civilians continue to bear the brunt of these conflicts, with 240,000 displaced during the first quarter of the year. The total number of IDPs – both pre- and post-military takeover – in Myanmar now stands at more than 1 million (UNHCR). The security and humanitarian situation remains tense in many areas, with active conflict – including airstrikes, artillery fire, ambushes, and raids – a daily threat for many civilians. Extended periods of conflict in some areas have cut ties between civilians and their homes, and their sources of livelihoods: many farmers have not planted or harvested crops, while seasonal workers have been unable to secure crucial casual employment. Rising food and fuel prices: Fuel prices increased 18 percent between February and March this year, driven by global uncertainty, the conflict in Ukraine, and local conditions. At the end of March, fuel prices in Myanmar were more than double those registered in February 2021 (+133 percent), according to WFP’s March Market Price update. The increase in fuel prices has caused transport costs to rise – a key driver of increasing retail food prices. The cost of a basic food basket increased by 10 percent from February to March, and the highest month-on-month increases were recorded in northern Rakhine State (+29%) and Kayah State (+26%). Compared to the same time last year, the average cost of a basic food basket is up 32 percent. Edible oil prices rose by 23 percent between February and March, mostly due to high transport costs and volatility in local exchange rates. The average price of rice increased 7 percent from February to March with rising prices felt nearly everywhere in the country. Rising fertilizer prices could drive food prices higher still. While Myanmar mainly imports fertilizer from China, the conflict in Ukraine is expected to have knock-on effects on the availability and price of fertilizer in Myanmar. Access challenges: Humanitarian access to newly displaced populations, mainly in active conflict zones, remains largely restricted, limiting WFP’s ability to reach populations in urgent need of food assistance. The lengthy process required to secure travel authorizations for WFP’s monthly distributions remains a challenge. Travel authorizations are often granted on a tight schedule, allowing only limited periods to distribute humanitarian assistance. WFP continues to plan well in advance to ensure travel authorizations are granted in time for distributions to proceed on schedule, as the security situation allows. Meeting humanitarian needs: The conflict in Ukraine, coupled with the protracted impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, is exerting a negative impact on food prices, lead times and supplier capacity. In Myanmar, these issues are exacerbated by conflict within the country. Many displaced farmers have been unable to harvest and sow crops since October of 2021. If this continues, the sowing of paddy rice will also be affected in many areas. The cumulative effect is likely to be a reduction in farmers’ income and food stock, which could result in a rice shortage in the market and even higher prices. WFP will continue to use its monthly market updates to monitor the costs of food and fuel, and work with field offices and partners to identify potential activity adaptations, such as coordinating ahead of time with banks to ensure funds are available for cash-based transfers, adjusting transport contracts, and increasing the value of cash-based transfers to meet the basic needs of beneficiaries. WFP also continues to allow more lead time for the procurement of food and nutrition rations. A potential risk is that WFP will need to pay more to procure commodities from international markets, which would require additional funding or reducing relief assistance coverage..."
Source/publisher: World Food Programme (Rome)
Date of publication: 2022-06-06
Date of entry/update: 2022-06-06
Grouping: Individual Documents
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Title: WFP Myanmar Market Price Update (April 2022)
Description: "Highlights While there was a slight reprieve in fuel prices in mid-April, the upward trend continued by the end of the month and is expected to worsen given the global context. High fuel and transport costs will continue to be major factor affecting retail prices of commodities. Cooking oil prices also stabilized briefly this month, except in areas with intensification of conflict and disruption in transportation - Sagaing, Kayin, Chin. Quarterly monitoring of market functionality suggests strain on markets with slight increase in proportion of traders with negative perceptions around availability of products, price stability 1 week and 1 month ahead, and lead times for ordering compared to December 2021, though not as high as in July – September 2021. Egg prices increased due to rising costs of poultry feed as all livestock producers seek alternatives to wheat in the wake of the Ukraine conflict causing a range of grain commodity prices to rise. Insecurity continues to deteriorate in the northwest and southeast, affecting access to markets, transport costs, and ability of shops to re-stock Retail prices rose in Wa region due to lockdown of MongPawk market affecting all commodities; Chickpea prices return to normal in northern Rakhine following Eid..."
Source/publisher: World Food Programme (Rome) via reliefweb (New York)
Date of publication: 2022-06-02
Date of entry/update: 2022-06-02
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Title: WFP in Myanmar continues to provide urgent food and nutrition assistance to reduce the impact of rising food insecurity
Description: "Providing a daily meal for a family of 10 is a daunting task for Ma Khine who lives in an impoverished neighborhood in the outskirts of Yangon city. With six children and four adults, including a disabled family member, the household requires almost 4 kilos of rice per day. The family of 10 rely on the oldest son who earns 8,000 Kyat a day – equal to or less than 5 USD – and this money is then managed by Ma Khine to provide for the entire family. With the rising prices of basic food items across the country, and the lack of financial income within the family, borrowing money just to buy essential food items has become an unfortunate practice for Ma Khine. “As the price for food and other essential items continue to rise, we have no choice but to borrow money on difficult days. Most days, we cannot pay back the loan and this leads to an increase in the the interest. And when we cannot settle the interest, it adds to the principal”, explained Ma Khine, who is the head of the household. The situation for Ma Khine’s family mirrors that of many in the Yangon Region where the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) is providing urgent food and nutrition assistance to reduce the impact of rising food insecurity. The concurrent health and political crises have also had a devastating effect, previously unseen in urban and peri urban areas of Yangon and Mandalay. The right to food is a human right and everyone deserves the right to adequate food and the right to be free from hunger. Therefore, with the support of donors, including Australia, Denmark, Italy, Israel, Japan, Republic of Korea, Sweden, and other private donors, WFP has reached 1.7 million people from across Yangon and Mandalay, many of whom share similar stories like Ma Khine. WFP’s assistance also extends to children, and the team on the ground has delivered Ready-to-Use Supplementary Food (RUSF) to more than 46,900 children aged 6-59 months, living in four townships in Yangon’s peri-urban area. These food deliveries help prevent acute malnutrition and are part of WFP’s Blanket Supplementary Feeding Programme (BSFP). This nutrition support aims to immediately offset the risk of malnutrition among children as they receive reduced meals or less nutritious food affected by the increased food insecurity. Vulnerable children under the age of 5 are provided with a monthly ration of RUSF containing 15 sachets. One RUSF sachet is consumed every other day and is primarily for children. The supplementary food is eaten directly from the sachet without the need to dilute, mix or cook. WFP remains committed to support people of Myanmar as they face high burdens of increasing food insecurity and malnutrition..."
Source/publisher: United Nations Myanmar
Date of publication: 2022-05-16
Date of entry/update: 2022-05-16
Grouping: Individual Documents
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Title: WFP Myanmar Market Price Update (February 2022)
Description: "Highlights: Fuel prices increased by +7% from January to February and again by +18% from February to March amidst global uncertainty, causing transportation costs to rise again - a key driver of increasing retail prices. By mid-March, fuel prices were more than double that seen in February 2021 (+133%) Insecurity continued to disrupt supply and affect stock availability and prices: For the second month in a row, WFP was unable to collect prices in Shadaw or Hpasawng, Kayah; heavy fighting in Puta-O caused route blockages Harvest of some commodities (pulses, rice, tomatoes) and increased availability contributed to declining prices in some areas, but no major declines seen due to rising costs to transport goods (except for tomatoes which are sold more locally when in season) Edible oil prices also rose again by 9-11% as local exchange rates (with Thai Baht, USD) deteriorated in February (+78-79% compared to one year ago) The cost of the basic food basket overall was stable compared to January, but remains +27% higher than the same time last year..."
Source/publisher: World Food Programme (Rome) via reliefweb (New York)
Date of publication: 2022-05-03
Date of entry/update: 2022-05-03
Grouping: Individual Documents
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Title: WFP Myanmar Market Price Update (March 2022)
Description: "Highlights Fuel price increases continued to drive up retail prices for all commodities via higher transportation costs – In March, fuel on average cost +18% more than in February and was more than double prices recorded in February 2021. Fuel price volatility is likely to continue amidst supply disruptions as a result of domestic policies and global events (Russia/Ukraine conflict) Lower than usual paddy supply resulting from challenges for farmers to access necessary inputs negatively affected rice prices Unusually heavy rains in mid-March damaged salt farms in Mon impacting salt prices and caused damage to onion farms particularly in Magway during critical harvest period leading to crop losses and higher prices Chickpea prices high in northern Rakhine due to high demand during Ramadan Impact of insecurity continues in many places, but particularly in Kayah, Kachin, and Chin where movement restrictions are in place..."
Source/publisher: World Food Programme (WFP) (Rome) via reliefweb (New York)
Date of publication: 2022-05-03
Date of entry/update: 2022-05-03
Grouping: Individual Documents
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Title: Joint news release: WFP and UNOPS Livelihoods and Food Security Fund team up to provide cash transfers for vulnerable communities affected by the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic in Myanmar
Description: "Yangon - The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) and the UNOPS-managed Livelihoods and Food Security Fund (LIFT) have just launched a cash assistance programme for most vulnerable communities in conflict-affected areas as they continue coping with the impact of COVID-19 in Myanmar. Through technical support from WFP, LIFT has recently provided one-time, 65,000 Myanmar Kyat (appr 36 USD) cash transfers to over 46,000 households, including internally displaced people and poor families in conflict-affected communities in Kachin, northern Shan, Rakhine and Chin states. The assistance targeted families whose lives and livelihoods were shattered by the coronavirus pandemic, providing them with the resources they desperately needed to meet their basic needs, including food and health care. “Cash transfers will support families to avoid adopting negative coping mechanisms and support access to nutritious food at a time when most vulnerable households are impacted by the loss of income and amidst multiple socio-economic challenges,” said Sara Netzer, LIFT’s Fund Director. The assistance was delivered directly to the beneficiaries through WFP’s cash transfer mechanisms already used in its operations in Myanmar. “WFP is proud and pleased to do its part to facilitate LIFT’s cash transfers for vulnerable households in four states reeling from the impact of successive COVID waves,” remarked Stephen Anderson, WFP’s Country Director in Myanmar. “The LIFT cash transfers complement WFP efforts to scale up food and nutrition assistance for the most food insecure communities across Myanmar.” LIFT’s previous emergency cash transfers, which were top-up payments to mothers, pregnant women, people with disabilities, migrant workers and the elderly, empowered people with choices when addressing their essential needs. The support also enhanced people’s purchasing power and stimulated local economies. LIFT’s cash assistance is provided thanks to the financial support of the United Kingdom, the European Union, Switzerland, Australia, the United States of America, Canada, New Zealand, Ireland and Norway. With donor support, LIFT has reached more than 2.9 million people in response to COVID-19 since the onset of pandemic..."
Source/publisher: World Food Programme and United Nations Office for Project Services via United Nations Myanmar
Date of publication: 2022-03-25
Date of entry/update: 2022-03-27
Grouping: Individual Documents
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Title: Two years into the COVID-19 pandemic, Rohingya refugees and their hosts in Bangladesh remain highly vulnerable
Description: "COX’S BAZAR – The almost one million Rohingya refugees and their host community in Cox’s Bazar remain vulnerable and need continued support – almost five years since they were forced to flee their homes for safety, according to the latest Refugee Influx Emergency Vulnerability Assessment conducted by the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) and its partners. The Rohingya’s extreme vulnerabilities are further exacerbated by large-scale hazards, including fires and floods that hit the camps in 2021. Almost all 900,000 refugees – 95 percent of them - remain entirely dependent on humanitarian assistance today. In the host community, where most families rely on daily-wage jobs, a slow economic recovery after COVID-19 lockdown measures has caused their vulnerability levels to increase, with 52 percent of the families considered moderately to highly vulnerable now compared to 41 percent in 2019. “The Ukraine crisis is a stark reminder that no one chooses to be a refugee. In this year of unprecedented humanitarian need, we hope the international community won’t lose sight of the Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh, who are more vulnerable than ever and may be plunged further into destitution by the impact of food and fuel price hikes,” said Sheila Grudem, WFP Senior Emergency Coordinator in Cox’s Bazar. Access to food remains a top priority for both refugees and host communities, with 82 percent and 59 percent of families, respectively, reporting so. They are also worried about the continuation of food assistance. A growing number of families in both communities fall into debt to cover their most essential needs, such as food. This is particularly worrying as their ability to withstand any new shocks and stressors will be compromised. In 2021, WFP continued to provide monthly cash-based food assistance to almost 900,000 Rohingya refugees in Cox’s Bazar and increased the number of fresh food corners available at its retail outlets in the camps. All refugees can now purchase fresh fruits and vegetables, live chicken and fish from the outlets using their monthly entitlements, known as “e-vouchers”. This assistance also provides substantial economic opportunities for the host community, injecting US$11 million into the local economy every month. WFP also continued its cash assistance to host community families affected by the economic consequences of COVID-19, reaching 450,000 people in 2021. WFP directly provides economic opportunities year-round in the host community through cash-for-work programmes as well as livelihoods grants and business skills trainings. “In 2022, we count on the continued support of all donors to help us provide vital assistance to Rohingya families as well as their host community, who has demonstrated remarkable solidarity by welcoming them almost five years ago. Any drop in funding will directly threaten the food security of refugees and make the recovery of the communities more difficult,” Grudem added..."
Source/publisher: World Food Programme (Rome)
Date of publication: 2022-03-13
Date of entry/update: 2022-03-15
Grouping: Individual Documents
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Title: WFP Myanmar Market Price Update (January 2022)
Description: "Highlights Month-on-month prices of key commodities are largely stable, but remain elevated compared to the same time last year as insecurity continues to disrupt transportation (via high fuel costs and transport fees, restrictions, blocked access). In the southeast, insecurity continues to disrupt transport routes and contribute to price volatility. For example, conflict this month made it impossible to collect data in Kayah for the first time, blocked main transport routes causing shortages of products and high prices in Chin, and continued to disrupt waterways In northern Sagaing The cost of the basic food basket overall remained stable month-on-month, but remains high compared to the same time last year (28%) While stable overall, many areas continue to see slight declines in rice prices around the country due to the ongoing harvest of new rice Edible oil prices rose only slightly (+4-5%) due to local fluctuations in exchange rate even as the official exchange rate reported no change Steady deterioration in the local exchange rate with the Yuan (reported this month as 317 MMK/CNY) continues to affect commodity prices in Wa region and Laukkaing Fuel prices increased between 14 and 18% by type compared to last month driven by the international increase in oil prices..."
Source/publisher: World Food Programme (Rome) via reliefweb (New York)
Date of publication: 2022-03-08
Date of entry/update: 2022-03-08
Grouping: Individual Documents
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Title: European Union reinforces WFP response to rising food insecurity in Myanmar
Description: "YANGON – The European Union has contributed EUR 4 million to help the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) respond to the rising humanitarian needs in Myanmar. Over 370,000 people in Chin, Kachin, Rakhine, and Shan states have received life-saving food and nutrition support since the beginning of 2021, thanks to the generous contribution. The funding, made through the Directorate-General for European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations (ECHO), came at a critical time when the country was engulfed by multiple shocks, including conflict, political unrest, and the socio-economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. “The country’s food situation has deteriorated dramatically over the past year,” said Luc Verna, who oversees EU humanitarian programmes in Myanmar. “This latest EU support will help bolster WFP’s readiness and ability to scale up its food assistance to people in need, despite the increasing difficulties for humanitarian actors to gain access to vulnerable people in Myanmar.” Recent WFP monitoring in Myanmar shows that vulnerable families in both urban and border areas are increasingly affected by ongoing shocks. Many are resorting to skipping meals, selling off assets and borrowing money just to buy food. “Food insecurity is approaching unprecedented levels across Myanmar where rising food prices and reduced income opportunities are undermining the ability of many families to put daily food on their table. We greatly appreciate the European Union’s timely humanitarian support, which allows WFP to step up much-needed food assistance to the most vulnerable,” said Stephen Anderson, WFP Country Director and Representative in Myanmar. While WFP support to vulnerable populations in border areas remains critical, securing sustained access to the many tens of thousands of people uprooted by recent armed clashes in Chin, Kayah, southern Shan, Magway and Sagaing is a top priority for humanitarian partners in Myanmar. # # # The United Nations World Food Programme is the 2020 Nobel Peace Prize Laureate. We are the world’s largest humanitarian organization, saving lives in emergencies and using food assistance to build a pathway to peace, stability and prosperity for people recovering from conflict, disasters and the impact of climate change. Follow WFP on Twitter @WFP_Media and @WFPAsiaPacific About EU Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid: The European Union and its Member States are the world's leading donor of humanitarian aid. Relief assistance is an expression of European solidarity with people in need all around the world. It aims to save lives, prevent and alleviate human suffering, and safeguard the integrity and human dignity of populations affected by natural disasters and man-made crises. Through its Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations department, the European Union helps millions of victims of conflict and disasters every year. With headquarters in Brussels and a global network of field offices, the EU provides assistance to the most vulnerable people on the basis of humanitarian needs..."
Source/publisher: World Food Programme (Rome) via reliefweb (New York)
Date of publication: 2021-10-28
Date of entry/update: 2021-10-28
Grouping: Individual Documents
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Title: WFP Myanmar Situation Report #4 August — September 2021
Description: "Highlights More than 1.8 million people in Myanmar have received WFP food, cash and nutrition assistance across urban and rural areas to date in 2021. Since May, WFP has supported 1 million vulnerable people in its large-scale urban food response in Yangon and Mandalay alone. Starting in December, funding for WFP cashbased operations in crisis-affected areas will run out, which will affect 275,000 targeted beneficiaries. Situation Update The situation in Myanmar remains complex and volatile: Since September, Myanmar has seen a significant upsurge in armed conflict and civil unrest in various states and regions, particularly the northwest (Chin State, Sagaing and Magway regions) and the southeast (Kayah State). The growing insecurity and a deteriorating economy are likely to further worsen food insecurity among the vulnerable households reeling from a deadly third wave of COVID-19 between June and August. Recurrent banking challenges continue to impact WFP’s timely delivery of cash assistance and procurement processes. Conflict-driven displacements are on the rise: As of 18 October, UNHCR estimates that at least 218,900 people remain internally displaced across Myanmar since the military takeover. This is in addition to 336,000 already displaced before 1 February. While humanitarian needs continue to increase, particularly in the northwest, access to conflict-affected populations remains largely constrained by the prevailing security situation and lengthy administrative processes. The vulnerable bear the brunt of price volatility: WFP’s latest market monitoring in August showed a notable increase in the price of fuel (68 percent), cooking oil (40 percent), and rice (16 percent) compared to pre-1 February. Overall, the cost of a basic food basket has increased by 20 percent. The recent drastic devaluation of the Myanmar currency is likely to further drive up food and fuel prices, threatening the food and nutrition security of many vulnerable households..."
Source/publisher: World Food Programme (WFP) (Rome) via reliefweb (New York)
Date of publication: 2021-10-25
Date of entry/update: 2021-10-26
Grouping: Individual Documents
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Size: 1.4 MB
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Title: WFP Myanmar Market Price Update (August 2021)
Description: "HIGHLIGHTS: Overall rice and oil prices in August 2021 remained stable compared to the previous month (+1-2%) but were considerably higher than the same time last year (+19% for rice, +61% for oils) Kayin saw +14% increase in rice price due to a combination of COVID-19 that caused interruption of rice milling, shop closures and lockdowns, as well as conflict and flooding The upward trend in chickpea and pulse prices continued as stocks decline amidst poor production this year and high local and international demand (+10% and +6% compared to previous month, respectively) Egg prices stabilized in most areas but remain higher than normal (+27% higher than August 2020) given elevated demand, with the notable exception of Shan where prices increased again by +11% due to high demand, COVID-19 transportation-related challenges and worsening local exchange rate with the Chinese Yuan (the kyat has depreciated by 20% against the yuan between January and August 2021). While commodity prices have been rising around the country, Shan state has seen noticeably consistent upward pressure on nearly all commodities since early 2021 due to the transportation challenges and the dependence on the Chinese Yuan. Overall tomato prices continue to fall (-8%) as local availability improved. However, some areas saw rising prices given dependence on importing from other states/regions and transportation challenges (cost, travel restrictions, delays and reduced frequency causing spoilage, etc.) Of reporting traders, 12% experienced scarcity in products in August, 17% indicated that they did not expect to receive products within a week of ordering and 16-17% said they could not predict prices 1 week or 1 month from now for at least some commodities. Fuel prices declined slightly from end of July to end of August, at -3% for diesel, -2% for premium diesel, and -1% for octane 92 and 95 each. Compared to the beginning of February 2021, prices are +36-50% higher by fuel type across the monitored townships..."
Source/publisher: World Food Programme (Rome) via reliefweb (New York)
Date of publication: 2021-10-05
Date of entry/update: 2021-10-05
Grouping: Individual Documents
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Title: Myanmar Market Price Update (July 2021)
Description: "Highlights Overall, prices of key commodities were mostly stable when compared to June 2021 (rice +1%, cooking oil +2%, mixed oil +4%), with the notable exception of egg prices that increased dramatically in July (+26%), and a smaller but steady increase in the price of chickpeas (+5%). However, the overall stability masks variations at lower levels, with some areas experiencing higher price increases across a range of commodities due mostly to the surge in COVID-19 cases and ensuing mitigation measures (travel restrictions, stay-at-home orders, shop closures) that caused disruption in transportation and supply chains. For eggs, the steep increase was due mostly to a surge in demand amidst rumors that eggs boost the immune system against COVID19, while for chickpeas, the price increase is due to low production this year and strong local demand. Prices for both commodities are also affected by transportation challenges and the increasing cost of transport. For oil at area and state levels, disparities in price variation compared to last month can be seen, with higher increases recorded for mixed oil in Chin (+10%) and Magway (+7%) and for cooking oil in Magway (+9%) and Yangon (+5%). These increases were related to transport challenges mentioned above. In Kayin, the prices of cooking oil, mixed oil, and chickpeas increased much more than elsewhere (+23%, +9%, +22% respectively) due to inaccessibility from COVID-19 travel restrictions, shop closures, compounded by extensive flooding in the second half of July. 16% of traders said they were experiencing scarcity in stock this month, a sharp increase from 5% last month. In addition, 19% said that if they ordered now, they did not think they could receive the goods within a week, with nearly half of them saying it would take 3-4 weeks. This is up from 8% last month..."
Source/publisher: World Food Programme (Rome) via reliefweb (New York)
Date of publication: 2021-07-31
Date of entry/update: 2021-09-08
Grouping: Individual Documents
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Title: WFP Myanmar Situation Report #3 August 2021
Description: "Highlights • To date in 2021, 1.25 million people in Myanmar have received WFP food, cash and nutrition assistance across urban and rural areas. • Since May, WFP has supported over 800,000 vulnerable people in its large-scale urban food response in Yangon peri-urban areas. • Significant funding shortfalls may hamper WFP’s ability to sustain ongoing life-saving operations while scaling up to support up to 3.3 million food -insecure people in Myanmar. Situation Update The situation in Myanmar remains complex and volatile: The triple impact of poverty, ongoing political unrest and economic crisis, compounded by a rapidly spreading third wave of COVID-19 transmissions since June, have exacerbated food insecurity in Myanmar. Lockdown measures and the spread of COVID-19 cases among WFP’s staff, partners and contractors, as well as in internally displaced people (IDP) camps, further constrain WFP’s ability to respond to life-saving needs. Heavy floods, particularly in the southeast and Rakhine State, in late July have further complicated humanitarian efforts. Conflict-driven displacements hit a new high: As of 9 August, UNHCR estimates that at least 191,100 people remain internally displaced across Myanmar since the military takeover. The humanitarian situation for many IDPs, in urgent need of food and other support, remains dire during the monsoon season. However, access remains largely limited due to security reasons and bureaucratic requirements. The economic outlook is bleak: The World Bank estimates an 18 percent contraction in Myanmar’s economy in the 2021 fiscal year. In 2022, the poverty rate is likely to more than double compared to preCOVID levels in 2019, and up to 1 million more jobs could be lost. The vulnerable bear the brunt of price volatility: WFP’s latest market monitoring in June showed a continued increase in the price of fuel (48 percent), cooking oil (37 percent), and rice (13 percent) compared to pre-1 February. Overall, the cost of a basic food basket has increased by 16 percent . These are likely to have significantly worsened the precarious situation faced by many poor and food-insecure households..."
Source/publisher: World Food Programme (Rome)
Date of publication: 2021-08-13
Date of entry/update: 2021-08-14
Grouping: Individual Documents
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Title: Myanmar: COVID-19 third wave has hit like a ‘tsunami’, warns WFP
Sub-title: The World Food Programme (WFP) warned on Friday that it is facing a 70 per cent funding shortfall in Myanmar, where millions face growing food insecurity.
Description: "Amid the “triple impact of poverty, the current political unrest and economic crisis”, coupled with the rapidly spreading third wave of COVID-19, that is “practically like a tsunami that’s hit this country”, the people of Myanmar are “experiencing the most difficult moment in their lives”, WFP Myanmar Country Director Stephen Anderson said, from Nay Pyi Taw. Hunger doubles WFP needs $86 million to help fight hunger in the country over the next six months, amid turmoil since the military ousted the elected government led by Aung San Suu Kyi on 1 February. In April, the UN agency estimated that the number of people facing hunger could more than double to 6.2 million in the next six months, up from 2.8 million prior to February. Subsequent monitoring surveys carried out by WFP have shown that since February, more and more families are being pushed to the edge, struggling to put even the most basic food on the table. “We have seen hunger spreading further and deeper in Myanmar. Nearly 90 per cent of households living in slum-like settlements around Yangon say they have to borrow money to buy food; incomes have been badly affected for many,” said Mr Anderson. Tripling in support In response, the WFP tripled its planned support to the country and starting in May, launched a new urban food response, targeting 2 million people in Yangon and Mandalay, Myanmar’s two biggest cities. The majority of people to receive assistance are mothers, children, people with disabilities and the elderly. To date, 650,000 people have been assisted in urban areas. At the same time, the WFP is “stepping up its operations” to reach newly displaced people affected by the clashes and insecurity in recent months. More than 220,000 people have fled violence since February, and are in urgent need of humanitarian assistance. WFP has reached 17,500 newly displaced people and is working to assist more in August. In total, 1.25 million people in Myanmar have received WFP food, cash and nutrition assistance in 2021 across urban and rural areas, including 360,000 food-insecure people in Rakhine, Kachin and Shan states, where there have been longstanding concerns. Access critical However, with $86 million more required over the next six months, it is uncertain how far these operations can go. “It is critically important for us to be able to access to all those in need and receive the funding to provide them with humanitarian assistance,” Anderson explained. “Now more than ever, the people of Myanmar need our support,” he added..."
Source/publisher: UN News
Date of publication: 2021-08-06
Date of entry/update: 2021-08-07
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Title: Funding gaps hampers WFP's lifesaving operations as hunger deepens in Myanmar
Sub-title: YANGON – The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) today warned that its lifesaving operations in Myanmar are being held back by a major funding shortfall, with over 70 percent of its funding needs over the coming six months still unmet.
Description: "A massive wave of COVID-19 infections currently surging throughout the country is compounding hunger, as families struggle amid job losses, rising food and fuel prices, political unrest, violence and displacement. In April, WFP estimated that the number of people facing hunger could more than double to 6.2 million in the next six months, up from 2.8 million prior to February. Subsequent monitoring surveys carried out by WFP have shown that since February, more and more families are being pushed to the edge, struggling to put even the most basic food on the table. “We have seen hunger spreading further and deeper in Myanmar. Nearly 90 percent of households living in slum-like settlements around Yangon say they have to borrow money to buy food; incomes have been badly affected for many,” said WFP Myanmar Country Director Stephen Anderson. Starting in May, WFP launched a new urban food response, targeting 2 million people in Yangon and Mandalay, Myanmar’s two biggest cities. The majority of people to receive assistance are mothers, children, people with disabilities and the elderly. To date, 650,000 people have been assisted in urban areas. More than 220,000 people have fled violence since February, and are in urgent need of humanitarian assistance. WFP has reached 17,500 newly-displaced people and is working to assist more in August. In total, 1.25 million people in Myanmar have received WFP food, cash and nutrition assistance in 2021 across urban and rural areas. However, with US$86 million more required over the next six months, it is uncertain how far these operations can go. “The people of Myanmar are facing their most difficult moment in living memory. It is critically important for us to be able to access to all those in need and receive the funding to provide them with humanitarian assistance,” Anderson explained. “Now more than ever, the people of Myanmar need our support. We are deeply grateful for the backing of the international community – the people of Myanmar will never forget your generosity and solidarity.,” said Anderson..."
Source/publisher: World Food Programme (Rome)
Date of publication: 2021-08-06
Date of entry/update: 2021-08-06
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Title: Amid This ‘Great Depression’, Myanmar’s People Will Never Give Up
Description: "Myanmar has entered a Great Depression. It must be spelled with a capital G and D, reflecting the real mood of the people of this country. This Great Depression began with the coup staged by Senior General Min Aung Hlaing on Feb. 1, which in turn triggered political, social and economic upheavals that continue to this day. This Myanmar version of the Great Depression differs from the severe worldwide economic depression of the 1930s, though. The trauma of a coup d’état—or even the prospect of one—is familiar to the people of Myanmar, who suffered through three previous coups, and the total breakdowns in order that resulted, over the past six decades, in 1958, 1962 and 1988. However, the latest coup has been a particularly serious blow, not only politically, socially and economically, but also psychologically, for the whole population. Since the coup, all people in the country—rich and poor, educated and uneducated, employers and employees, civil servants and private company staff, parents and children, adults and kids, teachers and students, men and women, doctors and patients, villagers and city dwellers, farmers and traders, Buddhists and Christians, Hindus and Muslims, members of the ethnic majority and minorities, locals and foreigners—have been plunged into misery. Almost everyone I meet and speak to these days has shared with me their deep despair, anger and fear, without even being asked. They all feel lost, and we can all relate to this feeling; there is no need to elaborate. I tend to express my own feelings back to them with this observation: “This is the era in which everyone in our country, from beggars to the president, are experiencing the worst kind of suffering.” Shattered expectations One especially cruel aspect of this Great Depression was that it was thrust upon the country at a time when people had such great expectations. The people were in a delighted mood after November’s election, in which the National League for Democracy won a landslide victory, and were waiting to witness the rare spectacle of an elected government returning to power in order to entrench the country’s fledgling democracy, building on the freedoms, rights and economic opportunities that had been initiated over the previous decade. Actually, their great expectations were largely confined to practical improvements in their lives; they were not overly concerned with idealistic notions, given their country’s complex political situation, in which the military already enjoyed undemocratic privileges. But one man alone—an unprofessional general greedy for power—destroyed at a stroke their expectations and dreams of a brighter future. Because of his greed, the entire population now exists in this Great Depression. Since the coup, the country has endured four months of grief. Not a single day has passed without arbitrary killings, arrests or abductions in one place or another in Myanmar. So far, the regime’s forces have killed about 880 people, including many children, and have detained more than 5,000 protesters across the country. Hundreds of thousands of people have lost their jobs over the past few months. The United Nations World Food Program (WFP) has warned that up to 3.4 million citizens could go hungry this year amid rising food prices and the loss of manufacturing, construction and service jobs. The coup has driven the economy into a state of rapid deterioration, and it is only expected to worsen in the near future. A third wave of COVID-19 infections has recently hit the country, but the regime’s response to the deadly virus has been to do almost nothing. Many people recall the systematic measures implemented by the previous civilian government to handle the first and second waves of COVID-19 last year. These are just the tip of the iceberg of the problems we face in this depression era. The whole situation on the ground is an indescribable catastrophe created by the coup leader and his regime. Min Aung Hlaing’s persecution of hundreds of doctors, teachers and striking civil servants has resulted in family separations as those on the wanted list have either gone into hiding or fled the country. His soldiers’ indiscriminate response to civilian resistance fighters in some urban areas has taken a great toll on people there. In Kayah State, residents returned to their homes to see they had been burned to ashes. Parents mourn their children who have died from pneumonia in rain-soaked forests after being forced to flee heavy-handed raids on their villages by thuggish soldiers. But this is not the first time for Myanmar. In this country, every generation has its own dark memories. The generations of our fathers and grandfathers suffered similar feelings of despair under successive generals whose decisions destroyed their dreams and their lives too. The older generation felt this despair under the rule of the late dictator General Ne Win for 26 years from 1962 to 1988, while the younger generation felt it under Ne Win’s successors, senior generals Saw Maung and Than Shwe, for the next 23 years from 1988 to 2011. These periods under military dictatorship were an ordeal—earlier examples of the Great Depression endured by the people of Myanmar. Dragged into a dark past In the past, however, when Ne Win staged a coup and introduced his autocratic rule to the country, authoritarianism was not peculiar to Myanmar. During the Cold War it was somewhat of a global political trend, existing in countries in Africa, Latin America, East Asia and the Middle East. Myanmar and its neighboring countries in Southeast Asia were not exceptional in this. In reality, it is not surprising that the rule of such great sinners should bring this kind of Great Depression. One only has to look at the world around us. Other countries have encountered worse experiences. Just look at the Holocaust, in which Nazi Germany and its collaborators systematically killed some 6 million Jews—two-thirds of the Jewish population of Europe—during World War II. Think about the feelings of Jewish communities across the world; Myanmar people can’t compare their current situation to those Jewish victims. Cambodia, one of Myanmar’s neighboring countries, suffered such a Great Depression when the Khmer people endured the Khmer Rouge regime’s persecution of its perceived opponents, as well as minorities, causing up to 2 million deaths in the 1970s. They all suffered deeply, experiencing their own forms of Great Depression during such terrible periods. It is a phenomenon that has afflicted the whole world throughout human history with inexpressible suffering. But all those that experienced it had to overcome these ordeals. Nowadays, however, far fewer countries find themselves in this situation—for most nations, the most recent examples occurred decades ago. That’s why this latest coup in Myanmar feels so much worse to people than previous military takeovers. But it shall be overcome. How? One simple and fundamental quality is enough: simply, the will to never give up. In previous Great Depression eras, the people of Myanmar didn’t give up; each time, they continued to struggle until they were able to bounce back. That’s what they are doing now, and every single person needs to keep doing their part through their respective callings. That’s why we’re seeing so many people in Myanmar rejecting the coup in so many different ways, to restore the democracy they expected..."
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Source/publisher: "The Irrawaddy" (Thailand)
Date of publication: 2021-06-26
Date of entry/update: 2021-06-28
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Title: MYANMAR SITUATION UPDATE (10-16 MAY 2021)
Description: "One hundred days after the coup, the junta has pushed the region’s fastest-growing economy into an economic and humanitarian disaster. The World Bank forecast shows that Myanmar's economy is expected to contract by 10% in 2021, a sharp difference from the previous prediction of 5.9% growth in October 2020. There is a possible banking crisis which leads to cash shortages, limited access to social welfare payments and international remittances. Last week, Myanmar Kyat hit one of its lowest compared to the USD. The World Food Program also estimates that up to 3.4 million more people, particularly those in urban areas, will face hunger during the next six months. Price rises, hurting the poor and causing shortages of some essentials, including the costs of fuel and medicine. The junta called to reopen colleges, universities and schools soon but many students and educators are boycotting. As a result, around 13,000 staff had been suspended by May 8. The junta also announced job vacancies for educational positions to replace striking staff. Across Myanmar, the ordinary citizens have taken up any weapons available from air guns to traditional firearms and homemade bombs and arms have spread in Chin state, Sagaing, Magwe and Mandalay regions. Mindat township in Chin State reported more intensified fights between the civil resistance groups and the Myanmar military while clashes were reported in Myingyan township, Mandalay region and Tamu township, Sagaing region. According to our information, at least 43 bomb blasts happened across Myanmar in the past week and many of them were in Yangon’s townships. It was reported that two people died and at least 21 people were injured. Media reported the junta continued to conduct air strikes across the villages in Kachin, Kayin, and Shan states, leading to thousands of people fleeing their villages. The Ethnic Health Organizations (EHOs) called on the international community to provide direct support to the ethnic areas as international aid sent through central Myanmar was unable to reach EHOs. The media also reported that the IDPs in Momauk township, Kachin State are in desperate need for emergency support. CSOs based in Thai-Myanmar border called authorities to consider measures for refugees on humanitarian principles and make an effort to monitor, assess the situation closely while consistently upholding both national security and humanitarian principles. They also urge Thai authorities to assess the situation comprehensively based on correct information and reliable sources. A DVB reporter, Min Nyo was sentenced by a military court to three years in prison for his reporting. Three reporters from Democratic Voice of Burma (DVB) and two activists from Myanmar have been arrested in Thailand for illegal entry and face possible deportation. CSOs and foreign correspondents in Thailand urged the Thai authorities not to deport them back to Myanmar. Thai prime minister and Foreign Minister met with the UN special envoy on Myanmar Christine Schraner Burgener to discuss the situation in Myanmar. The PM said he will not force those fleeing violence back to Myanmar. The National Unity Government also called for foreign countries to introduce and expand sanctions against the overseas relatives of Myanmar’s military council members. As of May 16, a total of 3,998 people are currently under detention and among 92 are sentenced. 1,679 have been issued arrest warrants. Twenty were sentenced to death and 14 to three years imprisonment. UEC member U Khin Maung Oo informed that there will be a coordination meeting with all the 91 political parties on 21 May and the main topic to discuss is about the use of the PR system. After the coup, the junta appointed UEC requested political parties to send the proposals on the PR system and some of the major parties such as NLD and SNLD rejected the proposal. World religious leaders are giving special attention to Myanmar, Pope Francis offered a special mass for the people of Myanmar on Sunday, 16 May 2021..."
Source/publisher: Asian Network for Free Elections (Bangkok)
Date of publication: 2021-05-18
Date of entry/update: 2021-06-27
Grouping: Individual Documents
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Title: WFP Bangladesh | Rohingya Refugee Response Situation Report #50 - May 2021
Description: "862,875 Rohingya refugees assisted 143,545 Bangladeshis supported in the host community Highlights From 1 May, WFP increased the General Food Assistance (GFA) value from US$ 11 to US$ 12, aligning with food price inflation and increased vulnerability identified in the Refugee Influx Emergency Vulnerability Assessment (REVA-4) released in April 2021. The value increase will allow beneficiaries to access the same quantity of food as previously. WFP re-introduced live fish and chicken in eight additional Fresh Food Corners; ten outlets now offer these popular items. WFP expanded its livelihoods programme to Moheskhali, Pekua and Kutubdia with 14,097 new host community women supported with monthly subsistence allowances and training. The 2021 Joint Response Plan (JRP) for the Rohingya Refugee crisis was launched. The plan outlines the needs of Rohingya refugees and their host communities, plus United Nations and NGO partner operations under the leadership of the Government of Bangladesh. It targets over 884,000 refugees and 472,000 of members of the host community requiring US$ 954 million..."
Source/publisher: World Food Programme (Rome) via reliefweb (New York)
Date of publication: 2021-06-22
Date of entry/update: 2021-06-26
Grouping: Individual Documents
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Title: Myanmar Market Price Update (May 2021)
Description: "Price increases are now affecting a broader range of commodities when compared to reporting from last month – average prices are up for palm oil (+11%), mixed oil (+8%), rice (+3%), onions (+11%), tomatoes (+22%), and pulses (+5%) compared to last month. The local rise in oil prices is linked to a broader global upward trend, exacerbated by import restrictions and rising transportation costs domestically. In urban areas of Mandalay and Yangon, oil prices rose again, by 14% and 20% for mixed oil and cooking oil, respectively, in Mandalay, and by 14% for both mixed and cooking oil in Yangon. Rice prices remained mostly stable (+1-2%) in both areas. Compared to pre-crisis (January 2021), average prices of mixed oil and cooking oil have increased by 38% while rice has increased by 9% overall. Compared to the same time last year (May 2020), the average price of mixed oil has increased by 52%, cooking oil by 47%, and rice by 18%. Compared to last month, Sagaing has seen particularly steep increases across a range of commodities due to fuel price increases and disruption in transport, with average prices increasing +10% for rice, +16% for mixed oil, +27% for palm oil and onions respectively, +76% for tomato, and +3% for eggs, pulses and chickpeas respectively. Between mid-May and mid-June, fuel prices largely stayed stable except in Dawei in the Southeast and in northern Rakhine (Buthidaung) where increases ranged from 6-13% depending on the fuel type. Compared to the first week of February, the average percent increase was 42% across all townships and fuel types..."
Source/publisher: World Food Programme (Rome) via reliefweb (New York)
Date of publication: 2021-06-24
Date of entry/update: 2021-06-24
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Title: Myanmar | Agricultural livelihoods and food security in the context of COVID-19
Description: "This report shares the results of a joint analysis by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the World Food Programme (WFP) on the agri-food system in Myanmar based on an assessment conducted from August to October 2020. The analysis was part of a broader initiative to contribute to data collection and analysis linked to COVID-19, informing evidence-based programming in selected countries. Its objective was to assess the effects of COVID-19 on Myanmar’s agri-food system, which includes livestock and fishing, food supplies, livelihoods and the food security of rural people at the national level. Information is collected from primary sources of the production process: producer households, traders or marketers, inputs suppliers, extension officers and key informants. The first round of data collection has been completed, with Rounds II and III taking place in 2021. This assessment covered 75 townships in eight states and regions: Mon, Chin, Kachin, Kayin, Rakhine, Sagaing, Shan and Yangon; data were collected between mid-August to mid-October 2020, complemented by a survey of input vendors. This report was made possible by the support of the American People through the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). The contents of this report are the sole responsibility of FAO and WFP, and do not necessarily reflect the views of USAID or the United States Government..."
Source/publisher: Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations and World Food Programme via "Reliefweb" (New York)
Date of publication: 2021-06-23
Date of entry/update: 2021-06-24
Grouping: Individual Documents
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Size: 744.58 KB (52 Pages)
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Title: WFP Myanmar External Situation Report #2 (June 2021)
Description: "In May, WFP progressively expanded its food assistance in urban centres, while maintaining its agility to respond to increasing population displacements. Ongoing conflict, as well as severe socio-economic disruptions are exacerbating food insecurity and malnutrition in Myanmar. WFP estimates that an additional 3.4 million people across Myanmar are at risk of food insecurity, particularly in urban centres. In May, WFP assisted 766,700 people in Myanmar with 5,491 mt of food and US$ 2.3 million in cash-based transfers (CBT). WFP has established a two-month contingency food stock for 500,000 people to quickly mobilize in-kind assistance when and where needed. While the banking situation is gradually improving, WFP and partners are still facing considerable challenges in terms of timely cash withdrawals. This requires WFP to adjust quickly and explore alternative solutions to sustain its regular CBT programme and to pay its suppliers. WFP continues to advocate for safe and unimpeded access to all populations in need but remains cut off from significant numbers of internally displaced people (IDP)..."
Source/publisher: World Food Programme (Rome)
Date of publication: 2021-06-21
Date of entry/update: 2021-06-21
Grouping: Individual Documents
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Title: Lines, tokens and money brokers: Myanmar’s crumbling economy runs low on cash
Description: "If you need cash in Myanmar, you have to get up early. Queues start forming outside banks at 4 a.m., where the first 15 or 30 customers are given a plastic token that will allow them to enter the bank when it opens at 9:30 a.m. and withdraw cash, according to more than a dozen people who spoke to Reuters. If you do not get a token, you either have to queue for hours for the few functioning cash dispensing machines outside or go to black-market brokers who charge big commissions. The cash crisis is one of the most pressing problems for the people of Myanmar after the Feb. 1 military coup. The central bank, now run by a junta appointee, has not returned some of the reserves it holds for private banks, without giving any reason, leaving the banks short of cash. The banks themselves have been closed or open only intermittently as many staff have gone on strike to protest against the coup. Meanwhile, internet outages make online transactions difficult and international transfers have largely stopped working. That presents problems for Burmese people and small businesses as they try to navigate an economy rapidly crumbling under the country’s new leaders and the collapse of tourism, one of Myanmar’s fastest-growing sectors. The Burmese kyat has dropped some 20% in value since the coup. “It’s now very difficult to operate a business,” said Hnin Hnin, an entrepreneur in her mid-20s who supplies shampoo and bedsheets to high-end hotels. “Traders don’t accept bank transfers now. They want cash. So we need to find the cash.” As a result, Hnin Hnin, who agreed to be identified only by a part of her name to discuss sensitive matters, has been one of the thousands of people queuing daily in front of the few functioning cash machines in major cities. Some people band together in groups of five, she said, so one person can take out money for the whole group. She has also been forced to figure out ways to pay her suppliers overseas, by making an agreement to swap money with a partner holding cash in an account in Thailand. Under the agreement, the partner gives Hnin Hnin access to her Thai baht account, so she can pay suppliers in Thailand, and Hnin Hnin pays her back with physical kyat notes in Myanmar. The central bank and the junta did not respond to requests for comment. Reuters put questions to Myanmar’s four largest private banks, including Kanbawza Bank and CB Bank. They also declined to respond. It is now almost impossible to get hold of U.S. dollars or other overseas currency at regular exchange centres in Yangon, a dozen people told Reuters. Black-market traders will take online transfers in exchange for physical notes in various currencies, they said, but add a commission of up to 10%. Myanmar's private banks were in trouble long before this year’s coup, at least partly because of their habit of lending money to well-connected customers who rarely bothered to pay them back, at least four bankers, including then-deputy central bank governor, told Reuters in 2017. The coup and the protests against it now mean there is no functional banking system, according to Richard Horsey, an independent political analyst specializing in Myanmar. “You have a three-pronged hit to the banking system,” said Horsey. “The pre-existing problems with the banks, which will be all the more difficult to resolve now; you have the economic impact of the coup which has produced a virtual hard stop to the economy without any kind of ability by the regime to manage that or inject stimulus; and then you have the banking sector strike itself.” People want to withdraw cash now to buy food and other essentials, said Horsey, and also because they fear the banking system will collapse. POVERTY RATE COULD DOUBLE The cash crisis is the most immediate sign of much deeper economic problems facing Myanmar, some experts said. Financial research firm Fitch Solutions said in April it expected Myanmar's gross domestic product to shrink 20% in 2021. The United Nations Development Programme said last month that Myanmar faces economic collapse due to the combined effect of the new coronavirus and the coup, which in its worst-case analysis could put nearly half the country’s 54 million people into poverty, compared to about a quarter in 2017. “If the situation on the ground persists, the poverty rate could double by the beginning of 2022,” said UNDP in its report. "By then, the shock from the crisis will have resulted in significant losses of wages and income, particularly from small businesses, and a drop in access to food, basic services and social protection." Millions are expected to go hungry in the coming months, the United Nations’ World Food Programme said in an analysis published in April. Some workers have trickled back to resume their jobs at banks in the past few weeks, but financial analysts see no immediate alleviation of the cash shortage. In Yangon, the country’s commercial capital, an egg and cooking oil trader who identified herself as Khin told Reuters the flow of eggs, oil and other agricultural commodities had slowed substantially and was no longer sufficient, forcing her to raise prices by 25%. While groceries are available in markets and in shops, some country analysts said they worry that farmers will not have access to seeds or credit to buy them before the monsoon planting season around June. “Farming in rural areas has already slowed down and the impact will be huge in the next season," said Khin. "Beans suppliers and chicken farm owners aren't sure if they can start another cycle." The commercial chain has been grinding to a halt, a major rice trader who works with hundreds of Myanmar farmers told Reuters. That trader said he lacks the cash to buy rice from farmers, which means in turn the farmers do not have money to buy equipment or pay workers to produce the rice. Many of the private banks’ loans were collateralised against real estate in Yangon, where property prices have collapsed since the coup, according to Myanmar economy analysts. Private banks in Myanmar are required to deposit a certain percentage of their customers’ money with the country’s central bank, as a way of protecting savings. Two bankers told Reuters their banks had deposited more than is required, but were denied permission by the central bank to withdraw any surplus, leaving them short of cash to dispense to customers. A banker at a major Myanmar bank said the closure of branches in the first two months after the coup prevented a run on the banking system with a rush to withdraw savings. “It was a good thing that the branches haven’t been open,” said the executive. “If the branches were open, we wouldn’t have enough cash to pay out..."
Creator/author:
Source/publisher: "Reuters" (UK)
Date of publication: 2021-05-14
Date of entry/update: 2021-05-15
Grouping: Individual Documents
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Title: Remaking Myanmar’s devastated economy is the key for a future democracy
Sub-title: Dictatorship must be resisted, but that’s not enough. Solving the country’s economic crisis could transform society
Description: "Myanmar is facing an economic and humanitarian disaster of epic proportions. There is an urgent need to protect the poorest and most vulnerable and provide assistance in a way that doesn’t entrench dictatorship. Equally important is to use this crisis to transform Myanmar’s incredibly unequal and singularly exploitative political economy. It’s the key to democratic change. It’s also the key to creating a fairer, as well as a freer and more prosperous, society. The army’s coup d’état in February has been followed by strikes and protests, and intense repression. The army has not been able to consolidate its coup and has instead unwittingly unleashed revolutionary movements determined to end the military’s role in politics once and for all. Years of turbulence lie ahead. Meanwhile, the economy has collapsed, with tens of millions of people descending fast into extreme poverty and the World Food Programme estimating that 3.4 million people will be unable to feed themselves properly within the next six months. The healthcare system has also collapsed, jeopardising the lives of many more, including the several hundred thousand people dependent on TB and HIV drugs and the 950,000 infants normally inoculated each year against measles, polio and other diseases. There is now next to no Covid-19 testing and no possibility of large-scale vaccination. The proximate cause of the unfolding catastrophe is the coup and its aftermath but understanding the history of Myanmar’s political economy is critical for thinking about what may come next. Myanmar’s economy under British rule was based on the immigration of Indian labourers and the export of primary commodities. After independence in 1948, politics was dominated by the left and efforts to overturn the colonial legacies. But in the late 1980s a new army junta ended the “Burmese way to socialism”, creating new markets, in particular around extractive industries tied to China’s industrial revolution next door. Taxation and social services were practically non-existent. Inequality skyrocketed and a mix of climate change and massive land confiscations drove millions to Thailand in search of work. In the uplands, alongside a patchwork of army battalions, militia and ethnic minority forces, were money-making networks far richer than even the men with guns, including a methamphetamine racket said by the UN to be worth billions. The political reforms of the past 10 years were not accompanied by any structural change to the economy. The army took a big step back from business, and liberalisation led to more foreign competition as well as growth in a few sectors such as tourism, property and telecoms. A small middle class emerged but most Myanmar people continued to live on the edge of violence and extreme poverty, including the most vulnerable: upland farmers, landless villagers, new urban slum-dwellers, people of South Asian descent and other minorities. The ethnic cleansing of the Rohingya in 2017 was unmatched in scale and brutality. But the Myanmar state has long failed many of its peoples. With the pandemic came an economic shock that sent an already fragile economy into a tailspin, the result of lockdowns and disruptions to foreign trade. The garment sector, the country’s one promising manufacturing industry, was brought to its knees. An international study last October found that income poverty (people making less than $1.90 (£1.36) a day) had risen from 16% to 63% of the population. There was almost no state support. Now in the aftermath of the coup, the economy is at a virtual standstill. A general strike coupled with the army’s internet blockages have shut down much of the financial system, disrupting business and payroll payments worth the equivalent of billions of US dollars a month. With confidence plummeting and the central bank unwilling or unable to provide needed liquidity, families are hoarding as much cash as possible. It’s difficult to imagine how ordinary people will survive these coming months, especially the rural poor, most of whom are landless and entirely dependent on casual work. However, the army regime is likely to survive any economic downturn because Myanmar’s system has never veered far from the one that grew up under past juntas and under the toughest possible western sanctions. The new businesses of the past decade, such as manufacturing, will wither, old ones, such as timber and mining, will gain renewed ground, and illicit ones in the uplands, from narcotics to money-laundering and wildlife trafficking will flourish in the protracted instability to come. Whatever happens, the international priority should be to ensure that Myanmar’s poor and vulnerable communities are able to receive the assistance needed to stay alive, with special attention paid to children’s inoculations. But this must be done with political skill, so as not to undermine chances for the radical political changes to government that the vast majority of people desperately want. Today’s revolutionary movements aim to cut revenues to the junta and are willing to pay a high economic cost. But a successful transition will come over years, not months, and it’s important to identify the economic landscape best suited for democratic change. Measures to weaken the junta that inadvertently strengthen the hand of transnational criminal networks may lead not to state collapse but a mutated political order, one that will take generations to unwind. Dictatorship must be resisted but democracy is not enough. Over recent months, a new generation of leaders have come to the fore and many have rejected the ethno-nationalism at the heart of Myanmar politics, seeking fresh alliances across racial, ethnic and religious divides. This is not only welcome but essential for any future success. But there should also be a focus on issues of inequality and underdevelopment, protecting the vulnerable now, while reimagining and mobilising around a fairer political economy of tomorrow..."
Creator/author:
Source/publisher: "The Guardian" (UK)
Date of publication: 2021-05-15
Date of entry/update: 2021-05-15
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Title: Myanmar: Future of the Country is at Stake - Briefing by UN Humanitarian Coordinator (19 March 2021)
Description: "Press Conference: Acting Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator for the United Nations in Myanmar, Mr. Andrew Kirkwood. UN Acting Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in Myanmar Andrew Kirkwood said the “future of the country is at stake” adding that the current crisis also has “important regional implications.” Speaking at a virtual press conference from his residence in Myanmar’s capital Yangon, Kirkwood said there was a curfew being imposed by the military across most of the country, adding that people were living in fear particularly at night, when the night raids start and people are dragged from their homes. He said at least 2,400 people have been arrested for their suspected participation in protests, the vast majority held incommunicado, adding that there are increasing reports of sexual-based violence against detainees. Kirkwood said, “At least 211 have been killed in the last 7 weeks and possibly many more. And this includes at least 15 children some as young as 14. And I think it is really important to emphasize that many of these people have been killed through gunshots to the head by snipers for peaceful demonstrations.” The acting UN Resident Coordinator said the army and police have “definitely increased the violence over the last couple of weeks in an attempt to get control of the situation, but the protests and the resistance continues. It's led by doctors and nurses and teachers and truck drivers and farmers who have all coalesced under this civil disobedience movement, the CDM.” Kirkwood emphasized that the situation could get worse and spin out of control. He said some two million people are living under martial law in and around Yangon, leading tens of thousands to flee those areas. He said he was very worried about an impending humanitarian crisis as the public health systems have practically collapsed. Security forces occupied 36 hospitals around the country and some patients were evicted. This is in addition to an ongoing banking crisis causing major disruptions to supply chains, Kirkwood said. The UN official noted that, even before coup, the UN was providing urgent humanitarian assistance to over one million people, adding that the coup complicated that. He expressed concern over an increasing number of people requiring humanitarian assistance, with nearly all COVID-19 testing and treatment halted. Kirkwood said the UN was focusing on providing humanitarian assistance across the country wherever it can under the circumstances. He said the country team has had very little contact with the military, which is kept strictly to what is needed to continue humanitarian operations. The acting UN Resident Coordinator said there were huge expectation by the people of Myanmar from the UN and the entire international community. He said what is needed is collective member state action in the Security Council. He added, “I think that the Secretary-General has been clear, the Special Envoy has been clear, many others have been clear, and we've consistently clear in country in our messaging. The killing has got to stop. The arbitrary detentions really have to stop. And there has to be respect by the authorities of fundamental freedoms and human rights. That said, we are doing everything we can in the current situation and there is still frustration among the people here that the international community hasn't done more to date.”..."
Creator/author:
Source/publisher: United Nations (New York)
Date of publication: 2021-03-19
Date of entry/update: 2021-05-03
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Title: Renewed clashes displace thousands in Myanmar, UN reports
Sub-title: Fresh clashes between Myanmar security forces and regional armed groups have displaced thousands across the country, the UN Office for Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said on Tuesday.
Description: "According to the Office, almost 50 clashes between the military and the Kachin Independence Army were reported in several places in Kachin state, including use of airstrikes by security forces as well as mortar shelling by both sides, displacing nearly 5,000 people and damaging several homes. “Around 800 people returned to their villages of origin within a few days and an estimated 4,000 people remain displaced in various sites, including in churches and monasteries”, OCHA said in a humanitarian bulletin. This was the first reported displacement in the country’s northernmost state since September 2018. Kachin had been hosting about 95,000 internally displaced persons (IDPs) in long-term camps since 2011. “Humanitarians and local host communities are doing their best to provide emergency assistance to the newly displaced people, despite the operational challenges and insecurity”, OCHA added. In neighboring Northern Shan state, escalating clashes since January forced about 10,900 people to flee their homes, of whom nearly 4,000 remain displaced, the Office added, noting that hostilities had also increased since February in Kayin and Bago states, displacing almost 40,000 people. About 3,000 people, mostly from Kayin, reportedly crossed the border into Thailand. The majority are said to have since returned. Funds needed for assistance Apart from the ongoing political strife in the aftermath of the military takeover on 1 February, nearly a million people across Myanmar, over two-thirds of them women and children, identified at the start of 2021, are in need of humanitarian assistance and protection. UN and humanitarian partners launched a $276 million response plan to assist nearly 950,000 people through 2021. However, into the last week of April, only 12 per cent or $32 million of the amount needed has been received. Rising hunger and desperation There are also fears of a sharp rise in hunger and desperation across Myanmar due to the triple impact of pre-existing poverty, the coronavirus pandemic and the ongoing political crisis. Estimates by the UN World Food Programme (WFP) indicate that up to 3.4 million people – particularly those in urban centres – would be hit by high levels of food insecurity over the next six months. Already, there are signs of families in and around Yangon being pushed to the edge, skipping meals, eating less nutritious food and going into debt, just to survive, the agency said last week, as it mounted a new food assistance programme to help the most vulnerable. The UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF), meanwhile, warned that even before the COVID-19 pandemic, almost a third of the country’s children were living in poor households. “In the current crisis, the situation has worsened. UNICEF is working to support the most vulnerable children and families across Myanmar, ensuring their access to lifesaving services”, the agency said on Monday..."
Source/publisher: UN News
Date of publication: 2021-04-28
Date of entry/update: 2021-04-29
Grouping: Individual Documents
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Title: Myanmar Market Price Update (March 2021)
Topic: Agriculture, Food and Nutrition
Topic: Agriculture, Food and Nutrition
Description: "The average retail price of rice and cooking oil continue an upward trend. Since January, the average retail price of rice has increased 5% across monitored markets, with higher increases in central Rakhine (7%), Chin (8%) and Kachin (11%). The average retail price of cooking oil increased 9% month-on-month. Over the past two months, the average price of cooking oil has increased 18%. The price of chickpeas increased 5% month-on-month on average, with higher increases over the past two months in Chin (9%), Kachin (18%) and southern Rakhine (19%). In March, higher than average increases in the price of rice, oil, and pulses were recorded in southern and central Rakhine, Chin, and Kachin. Transport difficulties are driving up prices and increasing lead times across the country. In urban areas, between the last week of February to mid-March, a 7% increase in the retail price of rice and a 4% increase in the retail price of cooking oil was recorded in peri-urban Yangon. In Mandalay there has been a 6% increase in the retail price of cooking oil..."
Source/publisher: World Food Programme (WFP) (Rome) via reliefweb (New York)
Date of publication: 2021-03-00
Date of entry/update: 2021-04-25
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Title: Myanmar: Analysis of the Economic Fallout and Food Insecurity in Wake of the Takeover - 2021
Description: "Prior to 1 February 2021, 2.8 million people were considered food insecure in Myanmar. WFP estimates that 1.5 to 3.4 million additional people could be at risk of food insecurity and in need of assistance due to the economic slowdown provoked by the political crisis in the coming three to six months. This is largely because poor people have lost jobs and income, making it harder to afford food. • Vulnerable people in urban areas affected by the economic standstill are at greatest risk, while longer term impact on food systems will also add pressure on rural populations’ food security. • In addition to job and income loss, increasing food and fuel prices, disruptions in trade, slumping economic growth, and internal displacement of ethnic minority groups bode ill for Myanmar’s poor. The latest forecast from the World Bank indicates a GDP contraction of 10% in 2021. • Market prices of rice and cooking oil have increased across all monitored markets since the start of February 2021 by 5% and 18%, respectively; however even higher increases were registered in border states including Rakhine, Kachin and Chin. Given the importance of rice and cooking oil in diets and the expenditure of poorest households on rice, continued price increases will likely further impact household food security. • Myanmar’s economy was already severely impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic in2020; a quarter of the country’s population were poor and a further third were vulnerable to poverty. • The current situation is extremely precarious and there may be additional short- and longterm impacts on Myanmar’s food security and poverty levels..."
Source/publisher: World Food Programme (Rome)
Date of publication: 2021-04-21
Date of entry/update: 2021-04-24
Grouping: Individual Documents
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Title: Rising food and fuel prices a looming threat to the poorest and most vulnerable in Myanmar, warns WFP
Sub-title: The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) today warned of rising food and fuel prices as the current political unrest starts to impact supply chains and markets.
Description: "WFP’s food price monitoring shows that food prices are trending upwards in some urban areas with the retail price of palm oil up 20 percent since the start of February in the peri-urban areas of the main city Yangon, and rice prices in the peri-urban areas of Yangon and Mandalay also up 4 percent since the last week of February. Across the country, the cost of rice showed an average increase of 3 percent on monitored markets from mid-January to mid-February. However, in a few townships in Kachin state, such as Bhamo and Putao, the increases are 20-35 percent. “These initial signs are troubling, especially for the most vulnerable people who were already living meal-to-meal,” said WFP Myanmar Country Director Stephen Anderson. “Coming on top of the COVID-19 pandemic, if these price trends continue they will severely undermine the ability of the poorest and most vulnerable to put enough food on the family table.” Steep spikes in oil prices have been observed in northern Rakhine where the average retail price of cooking oil increased by 27 percent from January to February, and in Maungdaw township the price of pulses jumped 15 percent. Increases in the price of cooking oil have also been observed in central Rakhine State (11 percent) and in Tanintharyi Region (14 percent). WFP has also noted an increase of 15 percent in the cost of fuel countrywide since 1 February, raising concerns about further food price hikes. In northern Rakhine, the price of petrol has increased by 33 percent and diesel by 29 percent. These rising food and fuel prices are compounded by the near paralysis of the banking sector, slowdowns in remittances, and widespread limits on cash availability. In order to ensure life-saving monthly cash and food distributions continue to over 360,000 people – mainly internally displaced and living in camps – WFP is building a contingency food stock, which would allow a switch from cash to in-kind food assistance in case cash availability continues to be limited, or market supply is constrained. “WFP reiterates the call of the United Nations Secretary-General for the will of the Myanmar people expressed in recent elections to be respected,” said Anderson. “At WFP we know all too well how hunger can quickly follow when peace and dialogue are sidelined.” WFP’s food price data were collected from more than 70 townships, across 100 markets and 250 plus separate traders and shops. While monitoring the new trends closely, WFP’s first priority is to ensure its monthly life-saving food assistance continues to reach those in need..."
Source/publisher: World Food Programme (Rome)
Date of publication: 2021-03-16
Date of entry/update: 2021-04-24
Grouping: Individual Documents
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Title: WFP Myanmar External Situation Report #1 - March 2021
Description: "Situation Update: Seven weeks following the military takeover on 1 February 2021, the situation in Myanmar is evolving rapidly, with a high risk of increasing food insecurity and malnutrition, particularly for the urban poor. • Food and fuel prices in Myanmar are rising, according to WFP price monitoring in February. The biggest increase was observed in northern Rakhine, while a 20 percent increase in the price of vegetable oil was recorded in Yangon. Fuel prices increased at least 20 percent across the country, which has an important knock-on effect on food prices. • Demonstrations and the general strike throughout Myanmar are likely to exacerbate the socioeconomic impact of COVID-19 lockdown measures, which saw 80 percent of households lose income.....WFP Response: In February, WFP assisted over half a million people in Myanmar with cash-based transfers and in-kind food assistance, through four activities: Emergency Relief Assistance; Nutrition (stunting prevention and support to persons living with HIV and tuberculosis (TB) patients); School Feeding; and Livelihood Support.....Emergency Relief Assistance: • WFP’s highest priority is to maintain its monthly life-saving assistance to internally displaced people and other vulnerable populations who fully rely on it. • In February, WFP provided life-saving food and cash assistance to 349,200 people in conflictaffected states of southern Chin, Kachin, Rakhine and northern Shan. • In view of current banking challenges or potential constrained market supply, WFP is building a contingency food stock, which would allow it to provide in-kind food assistance if needed.....Nutrition: • WFP provided a comprehensive package of nutrition support for 80,300 children aged 6-59 months and pregnant and lactating women and girls; as well as some 1,350 people living with HIV and TB patients. • Continuing WFP nutrition interventions is critical to avoid short- and long-term public health crises, on top of the pandemic..."
Source/publisher: World Food Programme
Date of publication: 2021-03-26
Date of entry/update: 2021-04-24
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Title: Millions face hunger as Myanmar crisis worsens, United Nations says
Description: "Food insecurity is rising sharply in Myanmar in the wake of the military coup and deepening financial crisis with millions more people expected to go hungry in coming months, the United Nations said on Thursday. Up to 3.4 million more people will struggle to afford food in the next three to six months with urban areas worst affected as job losses mount in manufacturing, construction and services and food prices rise, a World Food Program (WFP) analysis shows. "More and more poor people have lost their jobs and are unable to afford food," country director Stephen Anderson said in a statement. "A concerted response is required now to alleviate immediate suffering, and to prevent an alarming deterioration in food security." The WFP said market prices of rice and cooking oil had risen by 5% and 18% respectively since the end of February, with signs that families in the commercial capital of Yangon were skipping meals, eating less nutritious food, and going into debt. The agency plans to expand operations, tripling to 3.3 million the number of people it assists, and is appealing for $106 million, it said. A Myanmar junta spokesman did not immediately answer phone calls to seek comment. Myanmar’s army seized power from the democratically elected civilian government on Feb.1, plunging the Southeast Asian nation into turmoil and cracking down on mass protests and a nationwide civil disobedience movement with brutal force, killing more than 700 people, a monitoring group said. The crisis has brought the banking system to a standstill, shuttering many branches, leaving businesses unable to make payments and customers unable to withdraw cash. Many people depend on remittances from relatives abroad. Most imports and exports have been halted and factories have closed. The World Bank forecasts Myanmar's GDP to contract 10% in 2021, a reversal of previously positive trends. Before the coup, the WFP said about 2.8 million in Myanmar were considered food insecure. The coronavirus pandemic took a heavy toll of the economy, which had been growing as it emerged from decades of isolation and financial mismanagement under former military governments..."
Creator/author:
Source/publisher: "Reuters" (UK)
Date of publication: 2021-04-22
Date of entry/update: 2021-04-22
Grouping: Individual Documents
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Title: WFP Myanmar COVID-19 Situation Report #08, 7 July 2020
Description: "WFP is providing food and nutrition assistance to 41,450 returning migrants at Myawaddy border gate, as well as 43,000 inside quarantine sites in 10 out of 14 states and regions, as requested by the authorities. • WFP and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) are currently conducting a joint food security and livelihood assessment in COVID-19 affected areas in seven states and regions across Myanmar. • The price of the four main food commodities in Myanmar remained stable in June, according to the WFP Market Monitor. Situation Update • According to the Ministry of Health and Sports, there are 316 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Myanmar as of 7 July, including six deaths. To curb the spread of COVID-19, the Government of Myanmar has extended temporary travel and international flight restrictions until 31 July. • WFP’s Market Monitor for June indicated a stable average price of the four main food commodities in Myanmar, as some COVID-19-related restrictions were eased. Most of the monitored markets are functioning normally, apart from the conflict-affected Paletwa Township in Chin State..."
Source/publisher: World Food Programme (WFP) (Rome) via reliefweb (New York)
Date of publication: 2020-07-09
Date of entry/update: 2020-07-09
Grouping: Individual Documents
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Title: WFP Myanmar Country Brief, May 2020
Description: "Since late March, WFP provided food and nutrition assistance to 34,800 returning migrants placed under quarantine in Kayin, Mon, Shan states and Tanintharyi and Yangon regions, as requested by the authorities. In terms of social protection, WFP is taking an active role in supporting government efforts in immediate and medium-to-long term socio-economic interventions. WFP is seeking to support the further scale up of the Government’s maternal and child cash-based transfers programme beyond internally displaced persons (IDP) camps, in collaboration with the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO). As for common services support, with the US$ 1 million contribution from the Myanmar Humanitarian Fund, WFP has started coordinating the joint procurement of key hygiene and personal protective equipment for use by its staff and six UN/NGO partners. Furthermore, WFP is in the process of expanding the storage capacity in its Sittwe warehouse and replenishing emergency logistics stocks in preparation for the monsoon season in Myanmar (Please refer to COVID-19 Situation Report #5 and #6 for further details). • Rakhine and Chin: WFP received the green light from the authorities at the national level to deliver and preposition six months of emergency food assistance for conflict-affected and largely cut-off communities in Paletwa and Samee towns in Chin State. Across Rakhine State, despite a volatile security situation in areas with ongoing clashes between the Myanmar military and ethnic armed group the Arakan Army, WFP reached 27,100 newly-displaced people with emergency food assistance in May. In northern Rakhine, WFP assisted 135,700 conflict-affected people with emergency food and nutrition assistance, including 4,300 pregnant and lactating women (PLW) and 24,400 children aged 6-59 months in Buthidaung and Maungdaw townships. Meanwhile, in central Rakhine, WFP provided 130,500 food-insecure people with food and cash assistance, including 26,500 children aged 6-59 months and 5,200 PLW with fortified blended food..."
Source/publisher: World Food Programme (WFP) (Rome) via reliefweb (New York)
Date of publication: 2020-06-24
Date of entry/update: 2020-06-26
Grouping: Individual Documents
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Title: WFP Myanmar COVID-19 Situation Report #07, 26 June 2020
Description: "WFP is providing food and nutrition assistance to 55,000 returning migrants inside or in transit to quarantine sites in Bago, Kachin, Kayin, Magway, Mon, Shan, Tanintharyi and Yangon, as requested by the authorities. • WFP is providing a two-month targeted protection ration by doubling the monthly ration size of fortified blended food for pregnant and lactating women in stunting and wasting prevention programmes. • WFP continues to operate weekly aid flights connecting Kuala Lumpur to Yangon, allowing humanitarian cargo and personnel to enter Myanmar. Situation Update • According to the Ministry of Health and Sports, there are 293 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Myanmar as of 26 June, including six deaths. To curb the spread of COVID-19, the Government of Myanmar has extended several restrictions, including the suspension of international commercial flights until 30 June. • The COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted economic activities in Myanmar and is expected to have a long-term impact on various sectors. According to a poll conducted by the Asia Foundation, nearly one third of companies in Myanmar have temporarily closed due to the COVID-19 lockdown and the vast majority of those operating have reported lower sales..."
Source/publisher: World Food Programme (WFP) (Rome) via reliefweb (New York)
Date of publication: 2020-06-26
Date of entry/update: 2020-06-26
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Title: WFP Myanmar COVID-19 Situation Report #06, 3 June 2020
Description: "• WFP is providing food and nutrition assistance to 34,800 returning migrants placed under quarantine in Kayin, Mon, Shan, Tanintharyi and Yangon, as requested by the authorities. Food assistance to returning migrants in Kachin will commence this week. • WFP continues to operate weekly aid flights connecting Kuala Lumpur to Yangon, allowing humanitarian cargo and personnel to enter Myanmar. • The price of the four main food commodities in Myanmar declined after the Myanmar New Year and COVID-19 panicbuying subsided, according to the WFP Market Monitor. Situation Update • According to the Ministry of Health and Sports, there are 233 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Myanmar as of 3 June, including six fatalities. • To curb the spread of COVID-19, the Government of Myanmar has extended several restrictions, including the suspension of international commercial flights until 15 June. Meanwhile, the Government lifted the restrictions on the gathering of five or more people in five categories, including (i) staff working in government, organizations, companies, factories and workshops; (ii) schools; (iii) meetings and trainings; (iv) eating at restaurants that are allowed to reopen and (v) staff providing services and businesses essential to the public. • The WFP Market Monitor for May showed a decline in the average prices of the four main food commodities in Myanmar compared to April. This reflected a normalizing of purchasing behaviour after the Myanmar New Year holidays, and an apparent end to COVID-related panicbuying. WFP will continue to monitor trends..."
Source/publisher: WFP (World Food Programme)
Date of publication: 2020-06-04
Date of entry/update: 2020-06-04
Grouping: Individual Documents
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Title: WFP Myanmar COVID-19 Situation Report #05, 21 May 2020
Description: "Highlights: • On behalf of the United Nations, WFP organized the first two aid flights linking Yangon and Kuala Lumpur to bring in humanitarian cargo and personnel. • WFP has provided food and nutrition assistance to 12,740 people under quarantine in Kayin, Mon, Shan and Yangon, as requested by the authorities. • WFP is supporting the Government of Myanmar in distributing a cash assistance top up for pregnant and lactating women and children aged 6-23 months in internally displaced persons camps in Kachin and Shan states. Situation: • According to the Ministry of Health and Sports, there are 199 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Myanmar as of 21 May, including six fatalities. Two confirmed cases were recently reported in Rakhine State. • To curb the spread of COVID-19, the Government of Myanmar has extended restrictions including the prohibition of gatherings of five and more people, the closure of preschools and the suspension of international commercial flights until 31 May.
Source/publisher: World Food Programme (WFP) (Rome) via reliefweb (New York)
Date of publication: 2020-05-21
Date of entry/update: 2020-05-22
Grouping: Individual Documents
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Title: WFP Myanmar COVID-19 Situation Report #04, 6 May 2020
Description: "Highlights: • WFP is providing emergency food and nutrition assistance to 14,400 people in quarantine sites in Kayin, Mon and Yangon, as requested by the authorities. • WFP will operate its first weekly humanitarian flight linking Yangon and Kuala Lumpur on 10 May to bring in priority cargo and support frontline humanitarian and health responders in Myanmar. • WFP is actively engaged in the formulation of the UN COVID-19 Socio-Economic Workstream, with a particular focus on social protection and community resilience. Situation • According to the Ministry of Health and Sports, there are 161 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Myanmar as of 5 May, including six deaths. WFP Operations • WFP is actively engaged in the planning and formulation of the UN COVID-19 Socio-Economic Workstream, co-leading the social protection pillar with UNICEF and the community resilience pillar with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). • WFP, in close coordination with other actors in the Nutrition in Emergency (NiE) Sector, has developed a guidance package on emergency nutrition response in the context of COVID-19. The NiE Sector provided a virtual orientation on the package to nutrition partners in the field, focusing particularly on the nutrition information system, risk communication, monitoring and reporting. • WFP, together with UNICEF, the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), is designing a Rapid Response Mechanism for Myanmar to be activated in case of need in a COVID-19 emergency. The package may include food assistance, drinking water and hygiene kits, and will aim to link to longerterm Government social protection assistance..."
Source/publisher: World Food Programme (WFP) (Rome) via reliefweb (New York)
Date of publication: 2020-05-06
Date of entry/update: 2020-05-06
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Title: WFP Myanmar COVID-19 Situation Report #03, 27 April 2020
Description: "WFP continues its emergency food and nutrition assistance to 7,500 migrant returnees in quarantine centres, at the request of local authorities. • WFP is introducing remote monitoring in its operational areas to track the food and nutrition security situation of WFP-supported beneficiaries. • WFP is chartering a series of flights connecting Yangon to Kuala Lumpur for humanitarian workers and cargo. • WFP is promoting the use of its newly established Consolidation Hub in Guangzhou, China to humanitarian partners for storing and forwarding COVID-19 related humanitarian cargo. Situation • According to the Ministry of Health and Sports, there are 146 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Myanmar as of 27 April, including five deaths. • To contain the spread of COVID-19, the Government of Myanmar has issued a nationwide order that restricts gatherings of five or more people. A curfew order has also been imposed until further notice in nine out of 14 states and regions in Myanmar, including the capital Nay Pyi Taw and the commercial hub Yangon..."
Source/publisher: World Food Programme (WFP) (Rome) via reliefweb (New York)
Date of publication: 2020-04-28
Date of entry/update: 2020-04-28
Grouping: Individual Documents
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Title: Myanmar, WFP sign letter of understanding for food security
Description: "Myanmar government and the World Food Programme (WFP) signed a Letter of Understanding (LoU) for food security in the country, according to the Information Ministry on Saturday. To implement the WFP Country Strategic Plan (2018-2022), the LoU was signed on Friday by Director General U Than Aung Kyaw of Foreign Economic Relations Department under the Ministry of Planning and Finance and Stephen Anderson, country director and resident representative of WFP-Myanmar. With an estimated budget of 310.8 million U.S. dollars, the strategic plan is set to provide access to food for crisis-affected people and vulnerable people in the country's states and regions as well as to improve nutrition for children under 5, the ministry's release said. It was also learnt that the strategic plan will benefit about 2.79 million people..."
Source/publisher: "Xinhua" (China)
Date of publication: 2019-12-14
Date of entry/update: 2019-12-14
Grouping: Individual Documents
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Title: WFP Myanmar Country Brief, October 2019
Description: "Rakhine: With increased military activity and new displacements, the ongoing armed conflict continued to cause insecurity in the region in October. New internal displacements were reported in Sittwe, Myebon, Minbya and Buthidaung townships. In northern Rakhine, WFP responded by providing emergency food assistance to 2,000 newly displaced people, complementing the Government’s rice distributions. In addition, WFP continued to assist 97,400 food-insecure people from 176 Muslim, Buddhist and Hindu villages in Buthidaung and Maungdaw townships. WFP provided 18,700 children aged 6-59 months and pregnant and lactating women (PLW) with fortified blended food through nutrition interventions in northern Rakhine. In central Rakhine, WFP’s emergency food assistance reached 3,500 people displaced by the ongoing armed conflict in Kyauk Taw, Minbya, Myebon, Pauk Taw and Sittwe townships. In addition, WFP provided 128,000 food-insecure people with life-saving food and cash assistance. WFP also continued to assist 4,400 of the most vulnerable people from 73 villages in Rathedaung Township with lean- season support. WFP’s nutrition assistance reached 5,200 PLW and 25,000 children aged 6-59 months in central Rakhine. Kachin: Following relative stability throughout most of this year, armed clashes broke out in Mohnyin Township, though no new displacements were reported. WFP continued to assist 43,000 displaced people in Kachin State with cash-based transfers. WFP also provided cash for six-month food rations to 110 internally displaced people from Bhamo, Momauk and Mansi townships, who decided to return to their home villages. WFP nutrition assistance continued to reach over 1,900 PLW and children aged 6-23 months..."
Source/publisher: World Food Programme (WFP) (Rome) via reliefweb (New York)
Date of publication: 2019-12-02
Date of entry/update: 2019-12-02
Grouping: Individual Documents
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Title: Two Years On: WFP Rohingya Refugee Response
Description: "For decades, the Rohingya people have been subjected to systematic discrimination, statelessness and targeted violence in Rakhine State, Myanmar. Over hundreds and thousands of Rohingyas have arrived in Bangladesh, with significant spikes following violent incidents in 1978, 1991 – 1992, and again in 2016. The largest and most rapid Rohingya refugee influx was triggered in August 2017. In a matter of weeks, over 745,000 fled Myanmar – including more than 400,000 children – bringing the current camp population to more than 911,000. Since the start of the crisis, WFP has rapidly responded to the influx and since provided food and nutrition access to over a million refugees and host population, alongside facilitating essential shared services. Over two years into the multifaceted collaborative response, 88 percent of the refugee population still remain dependent on external-aid..."
Source/publisher: World Food Programme (WFP) (Rome)
Date of publication: 2019-11-12
Date of entry/update: 2019-11-13
Grouping: Individual Documents
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Title: Myanmar Emergency Dashboard, October 2019
Description: Infographic
Source/publisher: World Food Programme (WFP) (Italy)
Date of publication: 2019-10-31
Date of entry/update: 2019-11-01
Grouping: Individual Documents
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Title: Burma: Food Assistance Fact Sheet - September 30, 2019
Description: "• Vulnerable communities in Burma lack access to sufficient nutritious food and livelihood opportunities due to poverty, conflict, natural disasters, and movement restrictions. Nearly 30 percent of children younger than five years of age suffer from stunting, a common indicator of chronic malnutrition. In addition, recurring extreme weather events—including cyclones, earthquakes, and floods—often lead to population displacement, destruction of crops, loss of livelihood opportunities, and restricted access to markets, the UN World Food Program (WFP) reports. • In August 2017, clashes between armed actors and the Government of Burma military, as well as subsequent military operations in Burma’s Rakhine State caused mass population displacement, including many individuals fleeing to Bangladesh. Clashes between the Government of Burma and the Arakan Army in Chin and Rakhine states since December 2018 have resulted in additional population displacement and access restrictions that continue to impede the ability of humanitarian actors to respond to the needs of vulnerable people. • In Burma’s Kachin, Kayin, Rakhine, and Shan states, nearly 824,000 conflict-affected people are experiencing acute food insecurity and more than 180,000 children and women require life-saving nutrition services, the UN reports. Displaced communities lack access to livelihood opportunities and essential services due to movement restrictions and rely heavily on external assistance to meet their food needs. Lack of access to crisis-affected areas continues to hinder the provision of essential humanitarian assistance..."
Source/publisher: US Agency for International Development (USA) via Reliefweb (USA)
Date of publication: 2019-10-23
Date of entry/update: 2019-10-24
Grouping: Individual Documents
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Title: WFP Myanmar Country Brief, September 2019
Description: "Rakhine: Insecurity continued in September with recurrent skirmishes and new displacements in Sittwe, Myebon and Minbya townships and various areas in northern Rakhine State. In northern Rakhine, WFP extended its emergency relief assistance to 4,100 newly displaced people, in addition to 94,800 vulnerable people from 146 Muslim, Buddhist and Hindu villages in Buthidaung and Maungdaw townships. WFP also supported the nutrition of 20,300 children aged 24-59 months and pregnant and lactating women (PLW) with fortified blended food in northern Rakhine. In central Rakhine, a total of 130,600 food-insecure people continued to receive life-saving food or cash assistance from WFP. This included over 2,500 newly displaced people affected by the ongoing armed conflict. In addition, WFP also continued to provide food assistance to 4,400 beneficiaries in Rathedaung Township who are vulnerable to the lean season. WFP’s nutrition assistance reached 5,400 PLW and 24,900 children aged 24-59 months in central Rakhine. Kachin: WFP continued to assist 43,300 displaced people in Kachin State using cash transfers and Emoney. WFP also supported 234 IDPs from four townships with six months of cash transfers, as they returned to their places of origin. WFP also provided nutrition assistance for 1,930 PLW and children aged 6-23 months. Shan: WFP regained access to conflict-affected communities in Kokang Self-Administered Zone (except the northernmost part because of the security situation). Ongoing armed clashes in Kutkai, Nant San and Kyaukme townships caused the new and temporary displacement of 1,000 people. Emergency relief distributions continued to reach 7,100 displaced people from northern Shan State and 3,200 people in conflict-affected villages of the KoKang SelfAdministered Zone. WFP provided nutrition assistance for 2,300 PLW and children aged 6-23 months across Shan State..."
Source/publisher: World Food Programme (WFP) (Italy) via Reliefweb (USA)
Date of publication: 2019-09-30
Date of entry/update: 2019-10-24
Grouping: Individual Documents
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Title: WFP Myanmar - Relief
Description: "With frequent floods, landslides, cyclones and other natural hazards, Myanmar is extremely vulnerable to the effects of climate change, which lead to massive population displacements and destruction of livelihoods, crops and other food sources. It ranks 3rd out of the most affected countries in the last two decades since 1998, according the 2019 Global Climate Risk Index. The humanitarian situation in Myanmar remains fragile. In Rakhine State, more than 140,000 people, mainly Rohingya Muslims, remain internally displaced following several waves of inter -communal violence in 2012, with severe restrictions of movement and limited access to livelihoods, health care, education and other basic social services. The Government’s security operations in August 2017 followed by attacks on border guard posts resulted in 700,000 people, mostly Rohingya Muslims, fleeing to neighboring Bangladesh and exacerbated the food security and overall humanitarian situation of the remaining population. An escalation of fighting since 2018 in Rakhine State between the Arakan Army and the Myanmar military, as well as the intensification of ethnic armed conflict in Kachin and Shan states since 2011, has further contributed to instability. An estimated 823,600 people living in conflict-affected areas are vulnerable to food insecurity. More than 240,000 remain internally displaced with limited access to farmland and other livelihood opportunities..."
Source/publisher: World Food Programme via Reliefweb
Date of publication: 2019-06-22
Date of entry/update: 2019-10-05
Grouping: Individual Documents
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Title: WFP Myanmar Country Brief, August 2019
Description: "Rakhine: New small internal displacements were reported during August due to the ongoing armed conflict. In northern Rakhine State, WFP’s emergency relief assistance continued to reach 97,700 conflict-affected people including 1,900 newly displaced people from 165 Muslim, Buddhist and Hindu villages in Buthidaung and Maungdaw townships. In addition, WFP reached over 7,800 children under 5 years and pregnant and lactating women (PLW) through nutrition interventions. In central Rakhine State, WFP continued to assist 110,800 food-insecure people including 2,200 who were newly displaced through emergency relief food assistance. In addition, WFP extended its lean season support to over 4,400 most vulnerable people in Rathedaung Township. WFP’s nutrition assistance reached 5,200 PLW and 24,600 children under five years of age. Kachin: WFP provided emergency food assistance to 43,700 displaced and flood-affected people in Kachin State using cash and E-Money transfers. Over 1,860 PLW and children under 2 received nutrition assistance from WFP. Shan: Armed clashes have flared up in Shan State since mid-August causing over 9,000 temporary internal displacements. Urgent needs of the displaced people were covered by the assistance from the Government and local well-wishers. WFP emergency relief distributions continued to support 7,300 displaced populations from northern Shan State. Hampered by the armed clashes, WFP could not reach about 8,000 targeted people in conflict-affected villages of the KoKang Self-Administered Zone. Over 1,400 PLW and children under 2 received nutrition assistance in Shan State..."
Source/publisher: World Food Programme (WFP) (Italy) via Reliefweb
Date of publication: 2019-09-26
Date of entry/update: 2019-09-27
Grouping: Individual Documents
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Title: Food Security Assessment in the Dry Zone Myanmar
Description: "The food security situation in the Dry Zone has improved compared to a year ago. Overall, 17 percent of households are severely food insecure, 24 percent moderately and 59 percent food secure. In the areas covered in both 2009 and 2010, the share of severely food insecure households decreased by 15 percent. Households were able to enhance both food consumption and food access. In 2010, 10 percent of households had poor food consumption compared to 21 percent in 2009 in the areas assessed in both years. The share of households with an acceptable diet has increased from 36 to 58 percent. Households with poor food access who are depending on unreliable food sources decreased from 40 to 32 percent. The situation has improved across the Dry Zone. However, food insecurity levels remained high among households in Zone B, which is characterized by poor access to land and physical access to markets. Households relying on wood/bamboo cutting or casual labour as well as female headed households and those with children under-5 are more vulnerable to food insecurity compared to other groups. Agriculture is an important factor contributing to improved food security in the Dry Zone. Generally, farming households are amongst the most food secure households. They were able to benefit from relatively improved crop conditions compared to the previous year and increased marketing opportunities. Generally, there has been an increase in the area cultivated. In 2009, 40 percent of farming households cultivated a plot below subsistence level (< 2 acres), in 2010 the share was only 22 percent..."
Source/publisher: WFP (World Food Programme)
Date of publication: 2011-02-00
Date of entry/update: 2019-08-30
Grouping: Individual Documents
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Title: Special Report - The 2018 FAO/WFP Agriculture and Food Security Mission to Rakhine State, Myanmar, 12 July 2019
Description: ''Agricultural production throughout Rakhine State is generally constrained by a number of structural issues, such as inadequate access to land, low productivity, shortages of casual labour, limited credit availability and general lack of systematic, timely and efficient training and extension services to farmers. Continuous exposure to natural disasters and socio-political conditions further impair opportunities in agriculture. The 2017/18 harvest of monsoon paddy, harvested by December 2017, was reported to be average to slightly above average in the southern (Kyaukphyu and Thandwe) and central (Sittwe and Mrauk-U) districts. In Maungdaw District, vast tracks of rice fields were deemed not to be harvested. Given that the Mission took place well after the harvest and before planting, it was unable to verify the situation on the ground but farmers interviewed confirmed the claim. No economically significant outbreaks of pests or diseases were reported in the season. Production of winter crops (mostly groundnuts and vegetables) in the 2017/18 season in the southern and central parts was reported to be average. In Maungdaw District, production remained low as many fields were not sown. Due to lack of precipitation or fresh water storage, summer (dry season) paddy production in the State is limited. Possible scenarios for the 2018 main monsoon paddy season varied by location. In the southern districts, assuming normal weather conditions, the rice production was likely to resemble the previous years. In the central part, planting intentions reported by farmers were similar to the previous years, although labour shortages were likely to constrain overall production. In the north, areas planted were likely to be well below average due to reduced population, constrained access to field and limited availability of labour, draft animals and agricultural inputs, in particular seeds and fertilizers...''
Source/publisher: "Reliefweb" via World Food Programme, Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations
Date of publication: 2019-07-29
Date of entry/update: 2019-08-13
Grouping: Individual Documents
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Format : pdf
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Title: WFP Myanmar Country Brief, May 2019
Description: "Armed clashes between the Myanmar military (Tatmadaw) and Arakan Army continued in May across Rakhine State, resulting in small-scale and sporadic internal population movements. WFP continued to support newly displaced people with emergency food assistance, assisting over 1,500 newly displaced people in northern Rakhine and over 2,300 in central Rakhine during May. In northern Rakhine State, WFP’s emergency relief assistance reached 91,340 conflict-affected people from 164 Muslim, Buddhist and Hindu villages and two internally displaced people (IDP) locations in Buthidaung and Maungdaw townships. In addition, WFP reached over 18,900 children under 5 years and pregnant and lactating women (PLW) through nutrition interventions. In central Rakhine State, WFP nutrition assistance reached 6,430 PLW and 27,070 children under 5 , and 113,700 food-insecure people received WFP relief assistance..."
Source/publisher: World Food Programme (WFP) via reliefweb
Date of publication: 2019-05-31
Date of entry/update: 2019-07-16
Grouping: Individual Documents
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Title: UNICEF Myanmar Humanitarian Situation Report #4 - April 2019
Description: "During the month of April, the unilateral ceasefire called by the Myanmar Military in December for four months and then extended through June generally continued to hold in all areas of the country except Rakhine. In Kachin, this ceasefire has led to a relatively longer period of calm than has been experienced in several years. While this is a positive step forward, UNICEF and other humanitarian actors continue to have difficulty accessing different population groups—for assessment or response activities; this is particularly true in areas not under government control. In Shan State, though military action taken by Myanmar armed forces has halted, fighting and conflict among different armed ethnic groups continues to cause small-scale displacement for communities. Many of these communities have been displaced multiple times. While local communities are among the first to respond and support displaced populations, they have noted to humanitarian colleagues that their ability to provide assistance is becoming strained as resources are stretched due to the increasing frequency of displacement. In Rakhine State, fighting between the Tatmadaw and Arakan Army (AA) continued in April causing a near doubling of displaced people. Impacted townships include Mrauk-U, Minbya, Ponnagyun, Kyauktaw, Rathedaung and Buthidaung and impacts mostly ethnic Rakhine populations, though Rohingya and other minority groups have also been affected. In Chin State, the number of IDPs in Paletwa township also doubled in April. Sixteen international non-governmental organizations released a statement on 1 April urging all parties to the conflict to ensure protection of civilian and be provided with unfettered and sustained access to all affected populations. The statement further identifies that at least 95,000 people living in the affected areas are unable to access basic and essential services which could jeopardize their health, food security and wellbeing. The Government of Myanmar, local communities, the Red Cross Movement, and the World Food Programme (WFP) continue to be the providers of first response but are calling for an increase in the number of nationals and international organizations to be allowed to access populations in need. With the onset of the rainy season, agencies are particularly concerned about the potential for disease outbreaks and contamination due to overcrowded, poor shelters in some locations, and a lack of required services. Support to over 128,000 Rohingya IDPs in camps in central Rakhine continues..."
Source/publisher: reliefweb via UNICEF (United Nations Children's Fund)
Date of publication: 2019-05-20
Date of entry/update: 2019-06-10
Grouping: Individual Documents
Language: English
Format : pdf
Size: 1003.43 KB
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Title: Strategic Review of Food and Nutrition Security in Myanmar: “In support of Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 2 - Roadmap to 2030”
Description: "Why do food insecurity and malnutrition still exist in a country that produces enough food for its entire population? This is the question at the heart of the Strategic Review of Food and Nutrition Security in Myanmar. The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) have provided countries around the world with a broad global framework for development through the year 2030. National governments are aligning their development strategies around the 17 SDGs. For SDG 2 – Zero Hunger – Strategic Reviews have been carried out in dozens of countries across the world with the aim of providing a strong evidence base to enhance and accelerate national efforts to eliminate food insecurity and malnutrition. The Myanmar Strategic Review is part of this global effort towards Zero Hunger. Myanmar has shown its commitment to Zero Hunger as one of the first countries in the Asia Pacific region to adopt the Zero Hunger Challenge initiated by former UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon. Over the past few years, UN agencies and others have undertaken various initiatives around SDG 2 in Myanmar. The Strategic Review does not aim to duplicate these existing efforts, but is rather a compilation and analytical synthesis of existing evidence, with concrete recommendations on the way forward. While the Strategic Review report itself provides a wealth of information and analysis, translating this into action is even more important. The report concludes with a set of recommendations for the Government as well as all stakeholders in the food and nutrition arena in Myanmar. This “whole of society approach” includes development partners such as UN agencies and NGOs, as well as other actors including the private sector, legislators, and state/regional governments. I call on all of you to be champions of SDG 2 by communicating the Strategic Review and its findings widely. We hope that the report does not sit on shelves collecting dust, but that the findings and recommendations are taken forward. The publication of this report is not the end of the process, but rather the beginning..."
Creator/author: Professor Dr. Aung Tun Thet
Source/publisher: World Food Programme (WFP)
Date of publication: 2018-06-01
Date of entry/update: 2019-06-09
Grouping: Individual Documents
Language: English
Format : pdf
Size: 6.01 MB
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Title: New Rohingya Arrivals In Bangladesh At Risk From Poor Diets
Description: "The Rohingya Emergency Vulnerability Assessment (REVA) was carried out by the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) and Food Security Sector partners in November and December 2017. More than 2,000 families were interviewed to understand the priority needs of refugees and host communities. Households were asked about their diet, expenditure on food and other items, and what measures they resorted to in order to feed family members, amongst other things. With more than 656,000 people fleeing into Bangladesh from Myanmar since 25 August 2017, on top of a previous refugee community of around 300,000 people, the food security situation in Cox’s Bazar is extremely precarious. WFP is providing food and food vouchers to more than 700,000 refugees. Country Director Christa Rader explained: “WFP will scale up its e-voucher programmes in 2018 to reach new arrivals in Cox’s Bazar. Food vouchers for refugees make sense on all levels: it leads to more nutritious diets, it empowers women, and in the long run, it costs less than distributing actual food.” The study highlights that people who receive e-vouchers have a better-quality diet than those who do not, and in response WFP will scale up this programme in 2018. Currently, some 90,000 people are enrolled in WFP’s e-voucher programmes, under which they receive a monthly amount on a pre-paid debit card which can be used in allocated shops to buy 19 different foods, including rice, lentils, fresh vegetables, chillies, eggs and dry fish. By contrast, WFP’s food distributions to the new arrivals is rice, vegetable oil and lentils – an emergency ration designed to provide basic calories, but lacking in dietary diversity. Women are the receivers of the e-voucher card for each family, they can then take decisions on what to buy and how to allocate the assistance provided among family members. In light of the very high levels of acute malnutrition according to surveys conducted in October and November, WFP is also providing nutrition support to children under five years of age and pregnant and breast-feeding women. The study also recommends the scaling up of livelihood support programmes within host communities prioritizing especially women who have no income. Similarly, the study advises that refugees in the camps should be given the opportunity to earn cash in order to reduce their economic vulnerability. Also, the study advocates for the scaling-up of services and the distribution of non-food items to meet other basic needs, including improving the access firewood and drinking water meeting minimum quality standards..."
Creator/author: Shelley Thakral, Maherin Ahmed
Source/publisher: World Food Programme (WFP)
Date of publication: 2018-01-05
Date of entry/update: 2019-06-08
Grouping: Individual Documents
Language: English
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Title: FOOD SECURITY ASSESSMENT IN THE NORTHERN PART OF RAKHINE STATE Final Report
Description: FOOD SECURITY: "In line with the previous remote emergency assessments, the survey confirmed a worsening of the food security situation in already highly vulnerable areas after the October 2016 incidents and subsequent security operations. Nearly one third of the population was severely food-insecure and in need of humanitarian assistance. Only 14 percent of women achieved minimum dietary diversity and none of the children met the minimum adequate diet. Income opportunities were scarce and households could not access sufficient food to cover their needs. About half of the markets were not functioning or were only partially operational, food prices were highly volatile and supply of affordable foods in many markets was scarce...OVERALL SITUATION: Maungdaw district is among the most vulnerable and chronically food-insecure areas in Myanmar and the assessment confirmed a further deterioration of the food security situation. Measured by the food consumption score, about two third of the households could not meet an adequate diet and 28 percent of them had a poor food intake the week prior to the survey. With respect to previous surveys (2014-16), an increase was registered in diet inadequacy rates, from 43 to 62 percent, and in the share of households with poor food consumption, from 9 to 29 percent . During thirty days prior to the survey, about one third of the households faced extreme experiences of food insecurity, such as no food of any kind in the household (28 percent), went to bed hungry (34 percent), or went for the whole day and night without eating (28 percent). Income opportunities were scarce, households could not access sufficient food to cover their needs, and were employing disruptive coping strategies to manage the food gaps. Compared to the period of January-April 2016, food prices have increased on average by 7.4 percent while the purchasing power of households has dropped by 44 percent. Nearly half of the markets were not or only partially functioning. Food prices were highly volatile, and supply of affordable dried fish, a main source of proteins for the population, was scarce. High food insecurity, limited access to essential services including health care, and poor ac-cess to safe water and sanitation may have exacerbated an already serious malnutrition situ-ation (based on DHS 2015-16 for Rakhine State, the Global Acute Malnutrition (GAM) was at 13.9 percent while the Severe Acute malnutrition (SAM) - 3.7 percent). None of the children from 6 to 23 months met the minimum adequate diet, only 2.5 percent reached minimum dietary diversity and 8.5 percent met the minimum meal frequency. It was observed that 24 percent of the households in Maungdaw and 17 percent in Buthidaung were composed of female adult members only. This was in line with focus group discussions findings indicating that many male adults had to leave their household due to the security operations. With the highest frequency of episodes of severe hunger, this group was the most vulnerable to food insecurity (Figure 2). Under these circumstances and with the upcoming rainy season that may aggravate an already fragile situation, the capacity of the most vulnerable population to access sufficient food in the long-term is severally undermined and will depend on the humanitarian assistance in the near future. It is estimated that about 38,000 households corresponding to 225,800 people are in need of humanitarian assistance. Preliminary data of early 2017 shows an increase in children requiring treatment of acute malnutrition, and it is estimated that 80,500 children under the age of five are expected to be in need of treatment for acute malnutrition over the next twelve months.
Source/publisher: World Food Programme (WFP)
Date of publication: 2017-07-00
Date of entry/update: 2017-12-05
Grouping: Individual Documents
Language: English
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Title: FAO/WFP CROP AND FOOD SECURITY ASSESSMENT MISSION TO MYANMAR
Description: Highlights: • Cyclone Komen made landfall in Myanmar at the end of July 2015 causing extensive flooding to agricultural land, which remained submerged in some areas until September. This caused severe localized losses to the 2015 monsoon season crops, especially p addy, in Chin, Rakhine, Ayeyarwaddy, Yangon, Sagaing and parts of Bago. However, once the water receded, a large portion of the flooded areas with paddy was replanted. Overall, the amount of irreversible damage was limited. • At 27.5 million tonnes, the aggregate national production of paddy, the country?s staple food, in 2015 (monsoon season 2015 and ongoing 2015 secondary season) would be 3 percent below the 2014 crop and 2 percent down from the average of the past three - years. • At subnational level, however, cereal production and livelihood of farming households and communities in remote areas, in particular Chin and Rakhine, which concentrate highly vulnerable populations with little resilience and low agricultural productivity, did not recover fully as in other areas affected by the flooding. These populations may face severe food shortages in the coming months and require relief assistance. • Livestock and fisheries were affected by the flooding in localized areas with losses of cattle, buffalo, sheep, goats, pigs and poultry, and damage to fish and shrimp farms, resulting in reduced animal protein intake in the most affected areas. • The country is a net exporter of rice and the 2015 paddy production, similar to previous years, will exceed domestic requirements, but tighter domestic supplies in marketing year 2015/16 (October/September) are expected to further underpin already high rice prices, raising concerns about food access by most vulnerable sections of the population. • Prices of rice reached record levels in August and September 2015, reflecting strong depreciation of the Kyat, increasing rice exports and concerns about the damage to paddy crop. Domestic rice prices declined with the harvest between October and December 2015 but remained at high levels. In February 2016, rice prices averaged 37 percent higher than a year earlier. • For the majority of farming households, the main impact of the July flooding was related to the increased costs for replanting and the delayed harvest. Households depending primarily upon day labour, and especially non-skilled day labour, re main among the most vulnerable. They faced a gap in wages during August and have difficulties in obtaining credit. • The July flooding was perceived to have moderate impact on children?s nutritional status and little impact on infant and young children feeding practices. • In view of the country?s adequate rice availabilities and generally well-functioning domestic markets, the Mission recommends that any eventual food assistance needs to be provided in the form of cash and/ or vouchers. • To cover immediate agricultural needs following the 2015 flooding, the Mission recommends the distribution of seeds for the next monsoon planting season; as well as water and pest-resistant storage containers to protect farmer?s seeds, along with drying nets and post-harvest equipment in the most affected areas. In Rakhine, Sagaing and Ayeyarwaddy, recording the highest livestock losses, urgent restocking of livestock is required to avoid a further fall in animal protein intake; while the rebuilding of fishing gear and boats and the rehabilitation of fish ponds is also needed in the most affected Rakhine State."
Creator/author: Swithun Goodbody, Guljahan Kurbanova, Cristina Coslet, Aaron Wise, Nuria Branders, Sophie Goudet
Source/publisher: FAO, WFP
Date of publication: 2016-03-16
Date of entry/update: 2016-03-18
Grouping: Individual Documents
Language: English
Format : pdf
Size: 1.22 MB
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Title: FAO/WFP CROP AND FOOD SECURITY ASSESSMENT MISSION TO MYANMAR: SPECIAL REPORT
Description: Mission Highlights: • During the 2008 monsoon season, agricultural production suffered a significant decline in areas severely affected by Cyclone Nargis, as a result of poor quality seeds, salinity and iron toxicity, lack of agricultural labour and draught animals. Compared to the previous year, average paddy production is estimated to have decreased by 32 percent in 7 affected townships in the Ayeyarwady Division and by 35 percent in 3 affected townships of Yangon Division. At the divisional level, 2008 monsoon paddy output was down by 13 percent in Ayeyarwady, and 9 percent in Yangon. • Overall, aggretate food production in Myanmar is satisfactory, with positive outputs expected in most states/divisions, reflecting favourable weather and increasing use of F1 and HYV rice seeds. The Mission forecasts a 2008/09 (2008 monsoon and 2009 summer) cereal output of 21 million tonnes (rice at 19.8 million tonnes, maize at 1.11 million tonnes, and wheat at 0.147 million tonnes), 3.2 percent below the previous year, but approximately 10 percent above the five-year average. Cereal exports are expected to be high, with estimated rice exports of 477 000 tonnes and maize exports of 159 000 tonnes conversely, up to 64 000 tonnes of wheat are expected to be imported. • The cyclone-related damage to the livestock and fishing sectors in the Ayeyarwady Delta will continue to affect food supply and income generation in 2008/09. • Rats have damaged 685 hectares of rice and 400 hectares of maize in 121 villages of Chin State;localized food insecurity in these villages is expected. • Despite the increase in international rice prices, paddy prices in Myanmar remained low in 2008 due to domestic market and trade barriers. These low prices, combined with the rising cost of fertilizer and other major inputs, have significantly reduced farmers? incentives profits, and may have negatively impacted agricultural productivity and the country?s agricultural exports. • The Mission received reports of high levels of malnutrition in northern Rakhine State and recommends that a joint UNICEF and WFP food security and nutrition survey be conducted to verify these reports and to plan appropriate interventions, if needed. • In areas with high percentages of food insecure and vulnerable populations, defined as people living below the food poverty line, baseline surveys are required to measure food security, vulnerability, and nutrition, and plan appropriate interventions. Chin and Rakhine States are of the highest priority for baseline surveys. • There are more than 5 million people below the food poverty line in Myanmar. States/divisions which the Mission found to be a priority for emergency food assistance are: cyclone-affected areas of Ayeyarwady Division (85 000 tonnes); Chin State (23 000 tonnes), particularly those areas affected by the rat infestation; Rakhine State (15 000 tonnes), particularly the north of the State; Kachin State (8 300 tonnes); north Shan State (20 200 tonnes); east Shan State (7 000 tonnes); and Magwe Division (27 500 tonnes). Most of the food commodities can be procured locally, with only a limited requirement for imported food aid. • The Mission recommends the following agricultural assistance in cyclone-affected Ayeyarwady and Yangon Divisions: distribution of seeds for the coming summer and next monsoon planting seasons; distribution of draught animals adapted to local climatic conditions; distribution of other livestock for increased meat availability; distribution of hand tractors with training on their usage and maintenance; distribution of fishing equipment; re-establishment of ice production plants; and training in boat-building, net-making and on drafting of fishery laws. • The Mission recommends the following actions in regard to national food policies: set up a market information and food security warning system; develop balanced food production and trade policies for both producers and consumers; remove domestic market/trade barriers; and improve market integration.
Creator/author: Cheng Fang, Maung Mar, Aye Mon, Thanda Kyi, Bernard Cartella, Jan Delbaere, Michael Sheinkman, Nang Seng Aye, Aaron Charlop-Powers, Siddharth Krishnaswamy, Raul Varela
Source/publisher: FAO, WFP
Date of publication: 2009-01-22
Date of entry/update: 2010-09-22
Grouping: Individual Documents
Language: English
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