South Korea provides funding to WFP to support food and nutrition in Myanmar

Mizzima

The Republic of Korea on 20 August announced an additional US$5 million in funding to the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) to support life-saving food and nutrition assistance in Myanmar.

The contribution comes at a critical time, as WFP analysis warns that up to 5 million people could be pushed into acute food insecurity if the ongoing elevated food and fuel prices persist.

The funding will support the second phase of REACH: Responding with Emergency Assistance for Conflict-affected Households, a joint initiative by Republic of Korea and WFP in Myanmar. Through REACH Phase 2, WFP will provide relief food assistance to 140,000 people, alongside nutrition support for 15,000 children under five and pregnant and breastfeeding women. Assistance will prioritize internally displaced people, and families affected by conflict and recent shocks, including the March 2025 earthquake.

“No family should have to face hunger alone, especially in times of conflict, displacement and hardship,” said Mr. Bae Byeongsoo, Chargé d’Affaires of the Republic of Korea to Myanmar. “Korea remains committed to standing with the people of Myanmar through our partnership with WFP, helping ensure that life-saving food and nutrition assistance reaches those who need it most, especially children, mothers and displaced communities.”

Myanmar is currently the world’s sixth hungriest country, with 12.4 million people, nearly one in four, facing acute hunger. About 4 million people remain internally displaced, while more than 360,000 children are acutely malnourished.

Food affordability is deteriorating rapidly. The national average cost of a basic food basket is now 20 percent higher today compared with late February, with Rakhine recording the steepest increase at 43 percent. Rising transport costs, conflict along key supply routes, and global fuel price volatility are placing further pressure on households already struggling to meet their basic needs.

“Korea’s continued partnership is helping WFP keep life-saving assistance moving at a time when millions more people in Myanmar risk going hungry,” said Michael Dunford, WFP Representative and Country Director in Myanmar. “For families affected by conflict, displacement, rising food prices and repeated shocks, this support means more than a meal. It’s a lifeline in crisis, and the difference between despair and dignity.”

As humanitarian needs continue to rise across Myanmar, sustained and predictable support remains critical. The REACH initiative demonstrates the impact of the Republic of Korea’s partnership with WFP. In its first phase, WFP reached more than 420,000 people with life-saving food assistance across Myanmar, including 30,200 children under five and 16,000 pregnant and breastfeeding women who received vital nutrition assistance. The Republic of Korea and WFP are expanding this proven model of collaboration, so that more crisis-affected families can receive a lifeline before hunger tightens its grip even further.