WFP to implement six times in Myanmar, targeted areas to be more in central and upper
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Eain/Yoon (NP News) - Jan 14
The World Food Programme (WFP) schedules to implement six times this year in Myanmar, and the number of townships to be supported increases in the central and upper parts of the country, Buddhist Sayadaw Dr. Ashin Sobhita (Venerable IBEC Sayadaw), Principal of the International Buddhist Education Centre (IBEC) and Stockholm World Peace Prize Holder told The NP News.
The Sayadaw attended the 78th United Nations General Assembly held at the United Nations Headquarters in New York, USA on September 26, 2023, and requested food assistance for the displaced people in Sagaing Region and Magway Region.
In response to these requests, the WFP has been providing assistance to displaced people in Sagaing, Myinmu, Chaung Oo, Monywa, Shwebo and Homalin Townships as a pilot project since June 2024.
The WFP and local NGO Action for Green Earth (AGE) are working together to distribute food assistance for 2025 starting in February at the IBEC School located in Sagaing.
"2024 is over. In 2025, we will provide support to those who have been displaced, especially those whose cities and villages have been destroyed. In Sagaing Region, we have increased the support to 10 townships this year, compared to six townships in 2024. In Sagaing, we will give priority to those who have been displaced and are taking refuge in the Sagaing Mountains, Minwan Taungtan monasteries, and nunneries, and to those who have not received any support," Sayadaw U Sobhita told The NP News.
The WFP will provide six times of food assistance to displaced people in Sagaing, Myinmu, Chaung Oo, Salingyi, Monywa, Shwebo, Wetlet, Homalin, and Kantbalu in 2025.
"Those who have not received any assistance in 2024 will be prioritized to be provided. In 2025, we will provide six times throughout the year; once every two months. The main source of support is the World Food Programme. We are a bridge between the World Food Programme, the United Nations, and ASEAN, and we are providing services with the spirit of helping hands," the Sayadaw continued.
According to a report released by the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UNOCHA) in August 2024, the number of internally displaced persons (IDPs) across Myanmar is estimated to be around three million, with the number of IDPs increasing in northern Shan State, Mandalay Region, and Rakhine State.