"Highlights The current food insecurity situation is critical due to reduced agricultural production in 2022, intensified conflict, record high food prices and the devastating effects of Cyclone Mocha. The conflict triggered record-high civilian displacements, currently estimated at 1.83 million people, a three-fold increase compared to the same period in 2022. Food insecurity could worsen if constrained access to fertilizer and intensified conflict persist, and if the forecast of below-average monsoon precipitation is realized, thus reducing cereal production in 2023. Acute food insecurity is at critical levels in various parts of the country, mainly due to the shortfalls in 2022 cereal production, intensified conflict and record high food prices. According to the Humanitarian Response Plan (HRP) published last January, the highest prevalence and severity of acute food insecurity was reported in northwestern and southeastern areas, including Rakhine, Chin, Kayah and Kayin states as well as the Sagaing and Mandalay regions (Map 1 in the PDF). Since mid-2022 the conflict increased in intensity and spread to various parts of the country, causing large-scale displacement, disrupting trade flows and limiting access to humanitarian assistance. According to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), as of June 2023, a record high of 1.83 million people are internally displaced (IDPs), a three-fold increase compared to the same period in 2022 (Figure 1) with most of them being almost entirely reliant on humanitarian aid. In addition, 1.12 million people sought shelter in neighbouring countries, mostly in Bangladesh in Cox’s Bazar District and on the island of Bhasan Char. On 14 May 2023, Cyclone Mocha, a Category 5 event with strong winds and heavy rains, made landfall in northwestern parts of the country, triggering flash floods, and affecting the livelihoods of at least 3.4 million people. The most severely affected areas were the Rakhine, Chin and Kachin states as well as the Sagaing and Magway regions, where 60 percent of the IDPs are located. Food security conditions could deteriorate further if constrained access to fertilizers, persisting local insecurity and if the forecast below-average 2023 monsoon precipitation is realized resulting in lower cereal production in 2023. Given the critical food insecurity conditions, an immediate scaling up of ongoing food and livelihood humanitarian assistance to the most vulnerable households is urgently needed. Support for the ongoing 2023 main agricultural season should be provided to farming households to enhance their productive capacity..."