“From Myanmar, our colleagues there today say they are concerned about the impact of the current political and economic instability on people’s food security due to job losses, increased food prices, and currency depreciation,” said Farhan Haq, the Deputy Spokesman for the Secretary-General.

Haq warned that the situation could worsen with the impending monsoon season putting pressure on infrastructure and transport, disruptions to banking services, and the continued fighting in the country.

“The Food and Agriculture Organization says millions of people in Myanmar are expected to become hungry over the next six months, with food insecurity predicted to rise sharply and plunge sections of the population into a food crisis.”

“We and our partners are working to address this through emergency food deliveries, support to farmers, and food security programs targeting both newly displaced people and vulnerable rural host families,” he noted.