© WFP/Min Par Tlad
Myanmar
Following the formation of the first civilian government in early 2016, Myanmar is still facing complex political and socio-economic challenges which compromise the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goal to end hunger (SDG 2).
Myanmar remains one of the least developed nations in the world with an estimated 38 percent of the population living near or below the poverty line. Most people in the country struggle with physical, social and economic access to sufficient, safe and nutritious food with women, girls, the elderly, persons with disabilities and minorities affected most due to discrimination, including customary laws and traditions.
What the World Food Programme is doing in Myanmar
Crisis response
WFP provides unconditional food or – where markets are functioning – cash assistance to people affected by conflict or inter-communal violence and natural disasters whose livelihood options are limited or non-existent. WFP currently targets 245,000 internally displaced and conflict affected persons in Kachin, Shan and Rakhine State. The monthly basic food basket comprises rice, pulses, oil and salt, or its cash equivalent. WFP also supports Myanmar refugees returning from Thailand through six-month cash assistance to help with their initial reintegration.
National capacity strengthening
WFP provides technical advice, policy support and training for government bodies to improve delivery of national social protection, emergency preparedness and nutrition programmes and food systems. Activities include workshops and simulation exercises, as well as support in the form of equipment.
School meals
WFP implements the school meals programme for 430,000 pre-school and primary students in 4,600 schools during a nine-month academic year. Children receive either midday biscuit snacks or recently introduced on-site cooked school meals with locally-procured WFP food complemented by other ingredients contributed by parents and the community. WFP supports the development of the national school feeding programme.
Food Assistance for Assets
WFP provides a basic food basket or cash-based assistance combined with nutrition messaging to 17,000 women and men from marginal and vulnerable population groups as they participate in the creation and rehabilitation of community infrastructure. These activities are often carried out as an early recovery measure to support the rebuilding and restoration of people’s livelihoods. WFP promotes equal wages for women and men through community sensitization.
Food-by-prescription
To ensure nutritional recovery and treatment success, WFP targets 21,000 people living with HIV on antiretroviral therapy (ART) and tuberculosis patients on directly observed treatment, short-course (DOTS/DOTS-Plus) with a food basket, specialized nutritious foods and counselling support.
Nutrition
To improve nutrition of children under 5 and address stunting, WFP provides pregnant and breastfeeding women, adolescent girls and children with specialized nutritious foods or cash assistance combined with a comprehensive nutrition package. This contributes to meeting their nutrient needs and to prevent and treat malnutrition. WFP targets more than 150,000 pregnant and nursing women, adolescent girls and young children.
In focus
Myanmar news releases
Go to pagePartners and donors
Achieving Zero Hunger is the work of many. Our work in Myanmar is made possible by the support and collaboration of our partners and donors, including:Find out more about the state of food security in Myanmar
Visit the food security analysis pageContacts
Nay Pyi Taw
United Nations Building No. 20-25 Kyine Tone Street Zawana Theidi Quarter, Oattara Thiri Township Nay Pyi Taw, Myanmar
Phone: +95 (0) 67 3417423~5 (3 lines)
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