United Nations human rights experts have issued a stark warning regarding Myanmar’s escalating food security crisis, describing the situation as an unprecedented humanitarian emergency with severe implications for human rights. The experts stressed that deteriorating conditions are placing millions at risk of hunger and malnutrition.
In a statement released from Geneva, Michael Fakhri, UN Special Rapporteur on the Right to Food, and Thomas Andrews, UN Special Rapporteur on the Situation of Human Rights in Myanmar, emphasized that over 19.9 million people in the country require immediate humanitarian aid. The ongoing conflict, which has intensified since the military takeover in February 2021, is projected to push approximately 15.2 million people nearly a third of Myanmar’s population into acute food insecurity by 2025.
The experts warned that food prices in Myanmar are expected to surge by 30 percent in 2025 compared to the previous year, exacerbating the already dire situation. They also highlighted concerns over the recent U.S. presidential executive order suspending foreign aid, which they believe could have devastating consequences not only for Myanmar but also for neighboring countries hosting displaced populations.
Particular concern was raised over the deteriorating conditions in Rakhine State, where the UN Development Programme (UNDP) has reported that the region is on the brink of famine. According to the UNDP, at least two million people in Rakhine are at risk of severe hunger, with access to food and basic necessities becoming increasingly scarce due to conflict-related disruptions.
UN raises concerns over worsening hunger in Myanmar
The experts further noted that soaring inflation and plummeting household incomes have significantly compromised the nutritional quality of food available to families. As a result, more than 40 percent of children aged between six and 23 months are unable to access the diverse and nutrient-rich meals essential for healthy development, raising alarms about long-term health consequences.
In addition to food shortages, the experts pointed to frequent internet blackouts imposed across large parts of Myanmar as a major barrier to accurate data collection and reporting on food insecurity. These disruptions, they warned, make it increasingly difficult for humanitarian organizations to assess the full scale of deprivation and malnutrition, further complicating efforts to deliver targeted assistance.
The UN experts urged the international community to take urgent action to address the crisis, calling for increased humanitarian support, the lifting of restrictions on aid delivery, and greater efforts to restore fundamental human rights in Myanmar. – By MENA Newswire News Desk.