One year after the earthquake, recovery is ‘vulnerable’

According to the latest monitoring by the World Food Program (WFP), one year has passed since the devastating earthquake that struck Myanmar last year, but recovery in the affected areas remains weak.

In major affected areas such as Sagaing and Mandalay, one in six households is currently experiencing moderate to severe food insecurity. Half of all households maintain only a marginal level of food security, making them extremely vulnerable and vulnerable to even a small shock.

“Just as those who survived the earthquake are barely starting to get back on their feet, another blow is knocking them down again,” said Michael Dunford, WFP Country Representative for Myanmar.

Serial crisis brought about by the Middle East conflict

Armed conflict in the Middle East is disrupting transportation networks throughout Myanmar and causing fuel shortages. Soaring fuel prices are leading to higher transportation costs for food and agricultural products, placing additional burden on families already struggling to purchase essential goods.

This crisis is also a direct hit to Myanmar farmers who are preparing to cultivate monsoon crops. While fertilizer demand is expected to increase over the next three months, production costs are at risk of doubling compared to last year due to fuel shortages and rising input costs.

Focus on complex crises in conflict and disaster areas

These combined shocks are expected to hit conflict- and earthquake-affected areas the hardest, including Chin, Kachin, Kayah, Rakhine, Sagaing, and Shan. In Myanmar, 12.4 million people, or about a quarter of the total population, are already facing acute hunger, and the situation is expected to worsen.

Over the past year, WFP has provided relief and recovery assistance to 500,000 earthquake victims. Currently, the organization is transitioning from an emergency relief phase to a phase of restoring community infrastructure for long-term stability.

$150 million in urgent support needed

WFP said it needed $150 million (about 200 billion won) this year to provide life-saving and resilience support to 1.5 million people across Myanmar.

If sufficient funds are not secured, only the most urgent life-saving efforts will have to be focused on, and recovery projects aimed at rebuilding the livelihoods of earthquake victims and reducing long-term dependence on aid will inevitably be scaled back.

“The people of Myanmar have endured shock after shock from conflict, climate disaster, devastating earthquakes and now the global fuel crisis,” Dunford said. “One year after the earthquake, they cannot afford another fall. We must stand with them now.”

Impact on Korea

Myanmar's humanitarian crisis may also affect Korea's development cooperation policy toward Myanmar. While Korea is strengthening cooperation with ASEAN countries, Myanmar's deepening complex crisis may add uncertainty to regional stability, refugee issues, and even the local business environment for Korean companies.