Amid military coup, 3.4 mn Myanmar citizens to suffer hunger & food insecurity: WFP

In coming six months, 3.4 million people will suffer from hunger, over and above 2.8 million people considered to be food insecure in Myanmar before military takeover, according to World Food Programme (WFP). With triple impact of current political crisis, pre-existing poverty, and COVID-19 pandemic, hunger and desperation are rising sharply across Myanmar. 

WFP has estimated that up to 3.4 million more people will be hungry within next six months, particularly those in urban centres.

"More and more poor people have lost ir jobs and are unable to afford food," said WFP Myanmar Country Director Stephen Anderson. A concerted response is required w to alleviate immediate suffering, and to prevent an alarming deterioration in food security." as per WFP

Since military coup took place, at least 739 people have been killed, 3,370 people detained, and 1,099 arrest warrants were issued during protests.

Myanmar Refugee Crisis Brewing As Turmoil Hits Ecomy

Aid workers and activists are warning Myanmar’s political upheavals risk causing a regional refugee crisis as strife following a February coup displaces growing numbers of people who have lost ir livelihoods, according to Associated Press.  violence has left nearly 250,000 people displaced. A mass civil disobedience movement and efforts by security forces to crush it have left many out of work. Disruptions of internet service by authorities are also wrecking means many in impoverished country rely on to make a living.

Military coup

military coup occurred on February 1, a day before newly-elected members of parliament were scheduled to take oath. army accused government of rigging vember election in which Suu Kyi's National League for Democracy (NLD) party h won an overwhelming majority. International observers, who were in Myanmar to observe polls, dismissed military's allegation of "election fraud". Experts suggest that military feared Suu Kyi's government will try and reduce number of parliamentary seats reserved for Army. After previous military rule ended in Myanmar, Army helped co-write constitution, under which it reserved 25% of seats in parliament. 

(With ANI Inputs)

(Im Credits: AP/@WFP/TWITTER)