By Mg Dagon /MPA
The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) will suspend food assistance for one million people in Myanmar starting April 2025 due to a severe funding shortfall, the agency announced on Friday.
The suspension comes at a time of escalating conflict, displacement, and restricted access to aid across Myanmar, intensifying the need for humanitarian assistance. WFP’s decision to withdraw support for one million people will have severe consequences, particularly for vulnerable communities who rely solely on its assistance for survival.
“These impending cuts will have a devastating impact on vulnerable communities across the country who depend entirely on WFP aid to survive,” said Michael Dunford, WFP’s Country Representative for Myanmar.
Dunford emphasized that while WFP remains committed to providing aid, immediate funding is essential to reach those in dire need. Without additional resources, the organization will be able to support only about 35,000 of the most vulnerable individuals, including children under five, pregnant and lactating mothers, and persons with disabilities.
The aid suspension is expected to affect approximately 100,000 displaced people in central Rakhine State, including the Rohingya community.
A representative from a relief organization operating in southern Rakhine expressed concern over the suspension.
“This cut in aid could trigger a hunger crisis. However, WFP’s assistance in Rakhine has already been limited due to ongoing military offensives,” the source noted.
The representative also warned of severe repercussions for communities in Myanmar’s dry zone, where the loss of aid will further exacerbate food insecurity.
WFP has issued an urgent appeal for USD 60 million to sustain its operations in Myanmar but has not specified how long the funds would sustain assistance.
Dunford called on the international community to stay engaged with the people of Myanmar and urged WFP’s partners to help secure additional financial support.
To maximize limited resources, WFP plans to restore aid to approximately 30,000 individuals during the peak lean season from July to September.
“One million people losing aid is a staggering number,” said a woman who fled to Mae Sot, Thailand.
“As internally displaced people (IDPs) fleeing military rule, we still receive food supplies, but they will no longer have access. I urge everyone to help them as much as possible.”
Currently, about 15.2 million people in Myanmar rely on WFP assistance as they struggle with daily food shortages—an increase from 13.3 million last year. Of these, 2.3 million people are facing emergency levels of hunger. Despite receiving WFP support, many are reducing meals, selling assets, or taking on debt to survive.
A WFP report from January 2025 projected that 15 million people, particularly in conflict-affected areas such as Chin, Kachin, Rakhine, and Sagaing, could face food insecurity. The report also estimated that over 3.5 million people have been displaced due to armed conflict and violence, with projections suggesting this number could rise to 4.5 million by the end of the year.
