Cuts Begin as US Aid Reductions Lead to Critical Shortfalls for WFP’s Support in Myanmar
Relief camps in Myanmar received their final distributions from the World Food Programme (WFP) on March 19, as the UN agency faces a severe funding crisis. This marks the beginning of widespread aid cuts affecting over one million people across the war-torn country.
The funding shortage is largely attributed to a significant reduction in US aid, which has led to critical budget cuts for WFP. This follows President Donald Trump’s decision to slash the US aid budget, significantly impacting humanitarian efforts worldwide, particularly in Myanmar, which has been in the grips of a brutal civil conflict since the military coup in 2021. The war has displaced millions, killed thousands, and caused poverty rates to soar to 50%.
One camp resident, Byar Mee, expressed her despair after receiving the final aid handout of around US$50, a sum she uses to support her family of five. “I pray every night that this news is not true,” she said. “Please help us again,” she added, pleading for the return of aid that had been vital for survival.
The WFP’s drastic cutback means it will only be able to serve approximately 35,000 people in April, a stark reduction from the 15 million people in Myanmar who struggle to meet their daily food needs.
Among those impacted is Zi Yay Tar, a man who, along with his family of seven, has been displaced for over a year due to landmines and ongoing conflict. “The World Food Programme was our biggest hope,” he said, sharing the frustration of countless others who rely on external aid for survival.
The situation is dire for the 379 households living in the Waingmaw Lisu Baptist Association relief camp, where the WFP has been a lifeline. “Without food and supplies, we are going to starve,” said Le Tarr, a community organiser. “We are depressed and hopeless,” he added.
WFP’s Myanmar chief, Michael Dunford, confirmed the aid reductions, stating that the cuts were necessary due to a decline in donations, particularly from the United States. Since President Trump’s return to office, federal spending has been significantly reduced, with USAID’s budget taking a substantial hit.
The United Nations’ special rapporteur on Myanmar, Tom Andrews, warned that the US’s abrupt withdrawal of support could be fatal for many, adding that the termination of aid is “going to kill them.”
The impact of the cuts is already being felt across the country, with many residents fearing for their survival as critical aid disappears.
