Myanmar Domestic News Updates – Aug 13, 2025 Evening
๐๐ 1. WFP Urgently Appeals for USD 30 Million to Support Rakhine State Amid Rising Hunger and Malnutrition
August 13
The World Food Programme (WFP) has urgently appealed for USD 30 million in emergency funding to carry out humanitarian relief operations in Rakhine State, where hunger and malnutrition are escalating.
According to a statement issued today, August 13, by the United Nations office in Myanmar, the request comes in response to the rising levels of hunger and malnutrition caused by ongoing conflict, blockades, and funding cuts in Rakhine State.
WFP stressed that humanitarian assistance must be expanded to address the worsening food insecurity in the state. In central Rakhine, the proportion of households unable to meet their basic food needs was 33% in December 2024, but has now risen sharply to 57%.
The findings indicate that food security in central Rakhine has reached deeply concerning levels, while in northern Rakhine, the situation is expected to be even more severe due to active conflict and movement restrictions, WFP warned.
“People are trapped between conflicts, cut off from earning a livelihood, and deprived of humanitarian assistance and protection. They are caught in a relentless cycle of crisis,” said Michael Dunford, WFP’s Country Director for Myanmar.
He added, “We hear heartbreaking stories every day—children crying from hunger, mothers unable to feed their children. Families are doing everything they can to cope, but in these circumstances, survival becomes an enormous struggle.”
WFP’s records show that families are resorting to desperate coping mechanisms such as taking on debt to buy food, begging, experiencing domestic violence, pulling children out of school, and even falling prey to human trafficking.
Prolonged conflict, restrictions on movement, rising food prices, and reduced humanitarian funding have all combined to intensify the hunger crisis, WFP stated.
In April 2025, due to insufficient funds, WFP had to suspend assistance to over one million people in Myanmar. Despite the funding shortage, WFP continues to prioritize the most severely affected areas, but can only provide limited support.
Therefore, WFP is urgently calling on the international community to increase humanitarian funding and is also urging local authorities on the ground to grant unimpeded humanitarian access.
WFP estimates it needs USD 30 million to assist 270,000 people in Rakhine State over the next six months.
Regarding the appeal, WFP’s Country Director emphasized, “We need immediate action—if not, this crisis will escalate into a full-scale catastrophe. This is not something the world can turn away from.”
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๐๐ 2. Heavy Rainfall Between June and July 2025 Causes Flooding in Eight Townships in Arakan State, Leaving 21 Dead
August 13
Between June and July 2025, heavy rainfall across Arakan State triggered flooding and waterlogging in eight townships, causing damage and leaving 21 people dead, according to the Humanitarian and Development Cooperation Office (HDCO) of the United League of Arakan (ULA) in a statement issued on August 13.
The eight affected townships are Taungup, Kyaukphyu, Ponngyun, Mrauk-U, Minbya, Buthidaung, Maungdaw, and Rathedaung. A total of 165 villages experienced damage to homes, paddy fields, wells, reservoirs, roads, and bridges, in addition to loss of life.
Major impacts include damage to 9,761 households (affecting 42,459 people), destruction of 53 houses, and the loss of two IDP office buildings. Farmlands covering 18,823.12 acres were damaged, and thousands of livestock (including chickens, ducks, cattle, and pigs) perished.
Infrastructure damage included 13 roads and bridges, along with 18 wells and reservoirs. Road and bridge destruction occurred in Kyaukphyu, Ponngyun, Minbya, Buthidaung, and Maungdaw townships.
During the rainy season, drowning and being swept away by strong currents in flooded areas contributed to an estimated 21 deaths.
The current situation calls for urgent expansion of emergency assistance, HDCO said, adding that it will continue to work in collaboration with relevant organizations and donors to deliver relief to flood-affected communities.
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๐๐ 3. Human Rights Official and “We Are People” Provide Aid to 350 Long-Term IDPs in Chaung-U Township
August 13
In August, humanitarian support was extended to civilians who have been displaced for prolonged periods in Chaung-U Township, Monywa District, Sagaing Region, as well as to families of those killed by artillery shelling from the terrorist military junta.
On August 6, a total of 350 internally displaced persons (IDPs) at a long-term displacement camp in Chaung-U Township received nutritional donations—including rice, fortified cold beverages, and assorted snacks—through a joint initiative between the local Human Rights Official and the organization We Are People, according to the Ministry of Human Rights.
Similarly, on August 7, monetary donations collected via social networks were delivered to families of civilians killed by artillery shelling in Chaung-U Township by the township’s Human Rights Official in cooperation with We Are People.
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๐๐ 4. Ministry of Education Continues to Invite Participation in the “Safe Schools, Safe Education” Campaign
August 13
The Ministry of Education has reiterated its invitation for participation in the Safe Schools, Safe Education campaign.
The campaign period runs from July 15 to August 31, 2025, with a fundraising target of USD 400,000.
The Ministry stated that the aim is to ensure that children in Myanmar can continue their education safely in schools equipped with protective measures. It called on the public to contribute and support the campaign so that “safe schools” and “safe education” can become a reality.
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๐๐ 5. “From Mogok to True Liberation” Campaign Launches, Selling Movie Tickets to Raise Funds
August 13
The Mogok Strategy group has announced the launch of the “From Mogok to True Liberation” campaign, which includes selling movie tickets as part of its fundraising activities.
The group stated that all proceeds will go 100% towards strengthening allied forces, defending Mogok, and sustaining ongoing military operations, including in Mandalay.
Under the fundraising plan, supporters can purchase a package consisting of a ticket and a code for 30,000 kyats, which grants access to watch three films in total.
The screenings will begin on September 6, with video links posted on the Mogok Strategy Facebook page and other pages assisting with the fundraising program.
Each code allows three separate viewing sessions, and there is no limit on the number of tickets that can be purchased.
This news report was provided by Radio NUG correspondents Thar Ki and Ko Khant.
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