Attachments
Highlights
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WFP has reached 95 percent of 188,340 people in need of food with emergency food assistance.
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WFP has employed cash transfers in emergency flood response, targeting 19,426 affected people in Kangyidaung and Pathein Townships of Ayeyarwaddy Region.
Operational Updates
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In August, 474,490 people were affected by seasonal floods across Myanmar. Rapid assessments undertaken by WFP in coordination with relevant governmental departments and partners resulted in 188,340 people in need of WFP’s assistance. As of end-August, WFP assisted 179,520 people with food baskets (rice, pulses, oil and salt) and high-energy biscuits in 14 townships in Ayeyarwaddy, Bago,
Magway and Mandalay Regions, and in Rakhine State.
Meanwhile in Pathein Township of Ayeyarwaddy, 10,610 people received USD 48,200 due to reliable market access, which is a pre-condition for cash transfers. Relief assistance in cash transfers will be continued for another 8,800 flood victims in Kangyidaung and Pathein Townships. -
In August, the new displacement of 400 civilians was reported in Kachin State, resulting from escalated skirmishes between government military forces and Kachin Independence Army. With stringent restrictions of access to areas hosting the new IDPs, only local NGOs and religious organizations managed to assess and assist as necessary. Since May, WFP’s access to areas beyond the Government’s control has been hampered despite its reiterated requests.
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In late August, there were several reports of military offensives waged between government military forces and Ta`ang National Liberation Army, Shan State Army and other unidentified ethnic armed groups in northern and southern Shan States. Although initial information demonstrated no new displacements, it cannot be verified due to security threats. The security situation has become precarious with heavy deployment and fluid movement of armed forces in areas, culminated in humanitarian access being disrupted. As a result, WFP’s food deliveries to Kut Khai, Nam Kham, Man Tone Townships in northern Shan State have been halted by local authorities.
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With an aim to ascertain the effectiveness of coordination mechanism when responding to emergencies, a state level simulation exercise (SIMEX) was held on 24-25 August in Rakhine State. WFP and UNOCHA led the exercise with 30 officials and staff members from relevant governmental departments, United Nations agencies and international NGOs. As Rakhine State is prone to natural disasters, the exercise focused on a tropical cyclone scenario.
Application of standard operation procedures, desk review, and collaboration and interactions between clusters were assessed through the exercise. The report is due to be published in September.