By Ra Wai / MPA
Myanmar’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Ambassador U Kyaw Moe Tun, reported that the country’s poverty rate has reached its highest level in 15 years, with 24% of the population experiencing severe food insecurity.
Speaking at a UN meeting in New York on Tuesday, he revealed that nearly half of Myanmar’s population now lives below the poverty line, with around 20 million people in need of humanitarian aid and over 3.5 million displaced from their homes.
“Based on our experience, the country’s economy is now at its worst,” a Yangon-based electronics business owner told MPA. “Even under the previous military regime, while employees struggled, the wealthy were still doing well. But since Min Aung Hlaing’s coup, even the wealthy have lost their businesses and are suffering.”
Ambassador Kyaw Moe Tun also highlighted Myanmar’s dramatic rise in unemployment, stating that three out of four households have seen a significant decline in income.
He further noted that the military’s forced conscription is deepening the economic crisis, creating insecurity for young people and endangering their futures.
He emphasized that, under the current circumstances, social security is virtually nonexistent for the people of Myanmar. He urged the international community to increase its attention to the crisis and work towards a resolution.
Additionally, the ambassador called on the international community and UN member states to support efforts to end the military dictatorship by cutting off the junta’s access to weapons, jet fuel, and financial resources.
Caption – Ambassador Kyaw Moe Tun attending UN meeting on Tuesday
Translator – Alice Wai
Editor – ML
