WFP launches emergency flood response in Myanmar as monsoon flooding compounds severe humanitarian crisis

The response has begun with distribution of fortified biscuits – a ready-to-eat food that contains essential energy and nutrients – in Laymyethna Township, Ayeyarwady Region, where heavy rainfall since 30 July has breached river embankments and flooded villages and wards. Rapid assessments from Laymyethna indicate that more than 32,000 people across 98 villages and five wards have been affected.

WFP has dispatched 20 metric tons of fortified biscuits to local partners supporting flood-affected communities in Ayeyarwady Region. The assistance is sufficient to reach 10,000 people and distributions are currently underway.

“Flooding is a recurring threat, but this year it is impacting communities already battered by multiple underlying crises,” said Michael Dunford, WFP Representative and Country Director in Myanmar. “Families who were already struggling to put food on the table are now facing flooded homes, damaged crops, contaminated water sources and disrupted markets. WFP is moving quickly to provide immediate food assistance, but the situation could deteriorate fast if floodwaters persist.”

The full impact of the floods nationwide is still being established, but they are hitting Myanmar as the country grapples with a severe humanitarian crisis. An estimated 12.4 million people are experiencing hunger as families struggle under the combined impact of conflict, displacement, economic hardship, high food prices and repeated shocks.

WFP is monitoring the evolving impact of the floods and assessing further needs across all affected states and regions. Based on assessment findings, access condition and available resources, WFP stands ready to scale up food assistance where needs are the greatest.

Sustained access and urgent funding are critical to ensure affected families can be reached quickly and to prevent an already severe hunger crisis from worsening.

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About WFP 

The United Nations World Food Programme is the world’s largest humanitarian organization saving lives in emergencies and using food assistance to build a pathway to peace, stability and prosperity for people recovering from conflict, disasters and the impact of climate change.

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