WFP considers increase in funding for Arakan State IDPs amid rising prices

19 Nov 2021

DMG Newsroom
19 November 2021, Sittwe 

The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) is considering increasing funding for internally displaced people (IDPs) as basic food prices rise in Arakan State, Resident Representative of the UN agency in Myanmar Marcus Prior told DMG. 

The WFP provided food items such as rice, cooking oil and iodised salt to the IDPs in the past, but since 2019, it has been providing K15,000 per person in exchange for food, for the benefit of local businesses. 

The WFP’s cash assistance is intended to cover the daily expenses of the IDPs, Prior told DMG via email. 

“We are reconsidering the amount of cash support we provide to beneficiaries after rising food prices in many parts of Arakan State,” said Prior. It is not yet known how much WFP is considering increasing its regular funding for the IDPs. 

The prices of basic foodstuffs and other commodities have risen, and in some cases have doubled or more, amid fallout from the Covid-19 pandemic and the February military coup in Myanmar. 

As a result of rising commodity prices, the grassroots as well as IDPs in Arakan State are facing difficulties. 

“Now that commodity prices have risen, it is not easy for us to earn a living. Previously, the price of one viss of seasoning powder was just over K3,000, but now it has risen to K7,000. WFP funding is not enough for us. We have to spend K15,000 provided by the WFP in three days,” said Daw Ma Saw Yin, an IDP from Nyaung Chaung IDP camp in Kyauktaw Township. 

IDPs fleeing armed conflict between the Myanmar military and the Arakan Army (AA) in Arakan State rely on the support of international organisations such as the WFP and the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC). 

The WFP suspended the delivery of food aid to IDPs in Arakan State in October due to a lack of travel permission from the Arakan State Administration Council, according to the group. 

As permission has since been given, the WFP has resumed providing food and financial assistance to the IDPs in 10 townships in Arakan State. 

“The WFP has regained its suspended travel permits. The WFP now distributes food and cash on a monthly basis to 330,000 displaced people and other vulnerable people in 10 townships in Arakan State,” he explained. 

Food shortages were reported in some displacement camps during the suspension of food aid deliveries due to the recent travel ban affecting WFP employees. 

More than 230,000 people fled their homes during the two-year conflict in Arakan State. Many have returned home as the fighting in the state has halted since October 2020, but more than 80,000 of them still live in IDP camps.