Aid Groups Warn Of Myanmar Rakhine Hunger Crisis Amid Conflict, Blockades

Myanmar's Rakhine state is facing a severe hunger crisis fueled by ongoing conflict, military blockades, and funding cuts, profoundly affecting the Rohingya Muslim minority and other vulnerable populations. Over 100,000 children in the region suffer from acute malnutrition, with access to treatment below 2%, while more than 16 million people across Myanmar face acute food insecurity, making it a critical hunger hotspot. The military coup in 2021 intensified the crisis, triggering armed uprisings and further restricting humanitarian aid delivery. Refugees like Ajib Bahar, who fled to camps in Bangladesh, recount extreme hunger and deprivation, including reliance on boiled grass for their children. In response, the United States and Britain have pledged $96 million to support refugee camps housing over a million Rohingya refugees. Despite these commitments, aid organizations struggle to reach those in need due to security fears and restrictions imposed by Myanmar's junta and armed groups, prompting urgent calls for international action to prevent a worsening humanitarian disaster.