Pandemic shows need for food philantrophy (Bangkok Post)

Bangkok Post published an article that discussed ways in which Myanmar can learn from its western counterparts on promoting humanitarian and charitable work to support food security & battle climate change. Supply chain disruptions and panic buying are driving up food prices in Myanmar. On top of that, loss of jobs, incomes, and a decline in remittances have had a big impact on the poor. According to the World Bank, Covid-19, conflict, and climate changes will alter the profile of the global poor. The new poor are likely to be more urban and more engaged in informal services and manufacturing. IFPRI estimates that food insecurity has risen in Yangon Region, despite the government’s cash transfers support. The proportion of mothers with inadequate diets has steadily increased from 30% in June-July to 53% in September-October (See Poverty, food insecurity, and social protection during COVID-19 in Myanmar: Combined evidence from a household telephone survey and micro-simulations).