Myanmar

10 Facts About Hunger In Myanmar

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Here are ten things to know to understand the food and nutrition situation in Myanmar. Please help the World Food Programme (WFP) raise awareness by sharing these facts on Twitter.

1) Myanmar is currently facing one of the worst floods in its history. More than one million people have been affected by this disaster, with more than 40 percent needing immediate food assistance.

2) Twelve out of the country’s 14 states have been affected, with roads cut off, homes and farmlands destroyed and access blocked in some states.

3) Since the start of the response to the floods on 2 August, WFP has reached 218,000 people with food in Bago, Chin, Kachin, Kayin, Mon, Rakhine and Sagaing. Partners include the Government of Myanmar, other United Nation agencies and non-governmental organisations.

4) Even before the floods, more than a quarter of Myanmar’s population lived below the poverty line – that’s 13 million people - or more than the combined populations of New York City, Los Angeles and Washington DC.

5) More than one third of country’s children are chronically undernourished; they are too short for their age, a condition known as stunting.

6) More than eight percent of children are wasted; they are underweight for their height.

7) Only about half of school age children complete their primary education.

8) WFP nutrition support is provided to more than 18,000 pregnant women and nursing mothers and 41,000 children under two and under five.

9) In Myanmar, WFP also provides food assistance to more than 8,000 people living with HIV and tuberculosis patients to prevent malnutrition and improve the effectiveness of their treatment.

10) Myanmar ranks 150th out of 187 countries in UNDP’s 2014 Human Development Index.

Learn more about hunger and malnutrition from WFP's comprehensive list of Facts About Hunger and Malnutrition.