Mozambique
In 2023, northern Mozambique is facing a critical humanitarian situation, with at least two million people in Cabo Delgado, Nampula, and Niassa requiring life-saving and life-sustaining assistance and protection. These needs arise from the impact of armed conflict, violence, and insecurity in the area. The number of people in need has increased by 25% compared to 2022. More than half of those in need are children, and over 60% of affected adults are women. Nearly 1.7 million people are facing acute food insecurity because of violence and displacement. Those in need require protection, food, health services, education, WASH, shelter, and NFIs.
Myanmar
On 14 May 2023, Cyclone Mocha slammed into Myanmar, inflicting considerable damage in Rakhine state and northwest Myanmar, including Chin, Magway, and Sagaing. Early estimates point to 3.2 million people needing humanitarian assistance. Nearly 130,000 Rohingya refugees reside in overcrowded IDP camps in Rakhine, where widespread damage has been reported. The cyclone caused flooding that affected 52,000 and 50,000 people in villages in Sagaing and Magway, respectively. Infrastructure including houses, schools, hospitals, and WASH facilities have been damaged or destroyed. There is a heightened risk of waterborne diseases resulting from flooding and damage to WASH facilities. Flooding and landslides could have also moved landmines and other explosive ordnance. The affected people urgently need food, water, healthcare, and core relief items, such as clothing, blankets, hygiene kits, and jerrycans. Needs assessments are underway with communication partially restored. Access is being negotiated to enable a response.
Pakistan
Pakistan is grappling with a severe food security crisis marked by a shortage of wheat and soaring food prices. This crisis is affecting low-income communities and flood-affected areas, where 14.6 million people require emergency food assistance. In 15 flood-affected districts, a recent survey found that one-third of children under two years old suffer from moderate acute malnutrition and 14% from severe acute malnutrition. With more than 4.4 million acres of agricultural land destroyed in the 2022 flood, wheat and rice production will be lower in 2023. Food price inflation continues to increase, reaching 48% in April. Several factors contribute to food scarcity, including adverse weather conditions, the macroeconomic crisis, political unrest, bureaucratic challenges, and the Russia-Ukraine conflict. The scarcity of food has resulted in social unrest and violence. The country's lower foreign reserves make it difficult to meet the increasing demand through imports.