Heavy monsoon rains have poured into Myanmar since mid-July – making rivers and creeks overflow with rainwater. What it is now considered as the worst flood to happen in Myanmar in recent decades, has affected more than 1 million people. Following the official request for assistance from the Government, the World Food Programme (WFP) has initiated a rapid emergency response.
Launching a rapid response
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WFP has launched a rapid response to assist more than 380,000 people in the worst-affected areas of Myanmar (Bago, Chin, Kachin, Magway, Mon, Rakhine and Sagaing) with one-month rations of rice, pulses, cooking oil and salt and, in some cases, high-energy biscuits.
Since the start of the response on 2 August, WFP has reached 185,000 people so far in Bago, Mon, Rakhine and Sagaing. WFP is working with the Government, United Nations agencies and local non-governmental organisation’s to distribute the food.
Torrential rain in Myanmar has destroyed farmland, roads, bridges and houses.
Key challenges to the delivery of food assistance
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WFP’s access to many locations, particularly in Chin, Rakhine and Sagaing, is hindered by high floodwaters and landslides. In areas accessible only by air, the Government and three airlines (Air KBZ, Golden Myanmar Airlines and Myanmar National Airlines) are assisting with free transport of WFP’s food.
WFP is appealing for additional resources to respond to the floods emergency. An estimated US$3 million per month is required to meet the needs arising from the flooding. This is in addition to the US$19 million required to meet non-flood needs until the end of the year.
