The World Food Programme (WFP) has issued an urgent appeal for increased humanitarian support in Myanmar’s Rakhine State, where conflict, blockades, and funding cuts are driving a sharp rise in hunger and malnutrition. In central Rakhine, 57 percent of families are now unable to meet basic food needs, up from 33 percent in December 2024, with conditions in northern Rakhine expected to be even worse due to ongoing conflict and access challenges.
WFP’s Community Feedback Mechanism highlights the severe impact on affected families, who are resorting to desperate measures such as taking on debt, begging, experiencing domestic violence, withdrawing children from school, and even facing human trafficking. Michael Dunford, WFP Representative and Country Director in Myanmar, described the situation as a “vicious cycle” where families are cut off by conflict, stripped of livelihoods, and left without a humanitarian safety net.
The hunger crisis is exacerbated by prolonged conflict, severe movement restrictions, soaring food prices, and a significant reduction in humanitarian aid. In April 2025, WFP was forced to cut lifesaving support to over one million people across Myanmar due to funding shortfalls. Despite these challenges, the organization is working to resume limited lifesaving assistance in the hardest-hit areas.
WFP is calling on the international community to increase humanitarian funding and urging authorities to allow unimpeded access for relief operations. The agency estimates it needs USD 30 million to assist 270,000 people in Rakhine over the next six months. Dunford warned that without urgent action, the crisis could escalate into a full-blown disaster, emphasizing that global attention and support are crucial.
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