By Barron Segar

As I’ve watched and read reports from Afghanistan this week, one thought stuck with me: the tide of hunger looming in the wake of this conflict.

We know we must stave off hunger to prevent the nation from further unraveling. One in three people in Afghanistan already faces the vicious effects of hunger as back-to-back droughts have devastated the country’s crops. What’s more, the conflict has displaced thousands of people from their homes all while the ravages of the COVID-19 pandemic carry on.

The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) has been in Afghanistan for more than 60 years, and it will continue to provide unconditional food assistance to vulnerable groups despite the recent turmoil. Already in the first six months of this year, we delivered food and nutrition assistance to 5.5 million people, including those newly displaced by fighting. In the face of immense security and logistics challenges, the U.N. World Food Programme maintains access to most of the country, including areas experiencing active fighting, and is committed to staying and delivering food.

Through our commitment to Afghanistan, we will do everything we can to reach vulnerable families in their time of great need. But we can’t do it without the support of donors. Please join us as we work to feed millions of vulnerable people.

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The United Nations World Food Programme is the 2020 Nobel Peace Prize Laureate and 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.

World Food Program USA, a 501©(3) organization based in Washington, DC, proudly supports the mission of the United Nations World Food Programme by mobilizing American policymakers, businesses and individuals to advance the global movement to end hunger. Our leadership and support help to bolster an enduring American legacy of feeding families in need around the world. To learn more about World Food Program USA’s mission, please visit wfpusa.org/about-us.

Media Contact:
Bo Bartley
Senior Manager, Public Relations
bbartley@wfpusa.org
202-627-3737

YANGON – The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) today warned that its lifesaving operations in Myanmar are being held back by a major funding shortfall, with over 70 percent of its funding needs over the coming six months still unmet.

A massive wave of COVID-19 infections currently surging throughout the country is compounding hunger, as families struggle amid job losses, rising food and fuel prices, political unrest, violence and displacement.

In April, the U.N. World Food Programme estimated that the number of people facing hunger could more than double to 6.2 million in the next six months, up from 2.8 million prior to February. Subsequent monitoring surveys carried out by the U.N. World Food Programme have shown that since February, more and more families are being pushed to the edge, struggling to put even the most basic food on the table.

“We have seen hunger spreading further and deeper in Myanmar. Nearly 90 percent of households living in slum-like settlements around Yangon say they have to borrow money to buy food; incomes have been badly affected for many,” said U.N. World Food Programme Myanmar Country Director Stephen Anderson.

Starting in May, the U.N. World Food Programme launched a new urban food response, targeting 2 million people in Yangon and Mandalay, Myanmar’s two biggest cities. The majority of people to receive assistance are mothers, children, people with disabilities and the elderly. To date, 650,000 people have been assisted in urban areas.

More than 220,000 people have fled violence since February, and are in urgent need of humanitarian assistance. The U.N. World Food Programme has reached 17,500 newly-displaced people and is working to assist more in August. In total, 1.25 million people in Myanmar have received U.N. World Food Programme food, cash and nutrition assistance in 2021 across urban and rural areas.

However, with $86 million more required over the next six months, it is uncertain how far these operations can go.

“The people of Myanmar are facing their most difficult moment in living memory. It is critically important for us to be able to access to all those in need and receive the funding to provide them with humanitarian assistance,” Anderson explained.

“Now more than ever, the people of Myanmar need our support. We are deeply grateful for the backing of the international community – the people of Myanmar will never forget your generosity and solidarity,” said Anderson.

Broadcast quality footage available here.

Photos available here.

Long-form story available on wfp.org here.

WFP Yangon food security monitoring – May 2021 available here.

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The United Nations World Food Programme is the 2020 Nobel Peace Prize Laureate.  We are 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.

Follow us on Twitter @WFPUSA, @WFP_Media and @WFPAsiaPacific

Yerevan, ARMENIA – The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) welcomes a $1 million contribution from the United States Agency for International Development (USAID)’s Bureau for Humanitarian Assistance to provide cash assistance to help hungry, displaced people in Armenia cover their food needs until the end of June.

The cash transfers support the most vulnerable people and boost the local economy at the same time. By enabling people to purchase food from local markets, cash will help to strengthen and promote the local markets, also making direct positive impacts on the local economy.

The donation will complement the national efforts undertaken by the Government of Armenia through its national social program to support food insecure people who have been affected by the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.

A recent U.N. World Food Programme Food Security Assessment shows the food security levels of people have been negatively affected by the conflict. This cash assistance will help many people across the country to avoid negative coping mechanisms such as, eating less or borrowing money to buy food. The displaced populations will be able to cover their immediate food needs and have access to a nutritious diet.

“Globally, USAID is the biggest donor to the U.N. World Food Programme and supports food security all over the world. It is an honor for us to expand our partnership in Armenia within this humanitarian assistance,” said U.N. World Food Programme Representative and Country Director in Armenia Jelena Milesovic. “We highly appreciate this generous  contribution from USAID, which will help us reach more people and enable them to buy their basic food needs from local markets.”

The U.N. World Food Programme has developed a designated feedback mechanism for people benefiting from its assistance in Armenia, allowing them to communicate directly, effectively and safely with the U.N. World Food Programme. By calling the helpline at 096-120-400, or emailing armenia.BFM@wfp.org, people can send feedback, requests or complaints related to the cash assistance. This allows the U.N. World Food Programme to adapt and adjust its response as necessary, determine increased needs and gaps, and resolve concerns.

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The United Nations World Food Programme is the 2020 Nobel Peace Prize Laureate.  We are 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.

Follow us on Twitter @WFPUSA and @WFPArmenia