Food crisis during the pandemic – and what you can do to help

With the help of supporters, our partner, Myanmar Jesuit Mission (MJM), is on the ground getting vital food to where it’s needed most.

As cases of COVID-19 rise at an alarming rate in Myanmar, the severe shortage of food is devastating communities. With borders closed and the economy collapsed, factories have shut down and supplies have dried up.

Over 70% of the population depend on day labour jobs to feed their families but, with movement restrictions, they have been unable to work. And home quarantine in slum areas is incredibly difficult when five people are sheltered in one room.

MJM is working around the clock to get lifesaving food supplies to families in desperate need. They have made food distributions to four slum areas in Yangon, Taunggyi, and in the internally displaced persons (IDP) camps in Myitkyina. Each distribution has reached 500 or more households – supporting almost 15,000 people in total.

As well as providing food, MJM is supporting quarantine centres by supplying masks to keep around 3,000 people safe from the spread of the coronavirus.

““Safety and solidarity” is our motto at this time. We are revising our plan for six months of emergency response, with food and livelihood support in a few places.”- Fr Mark Raper SJ, Myanmar Jesuit Mission

Supporters like you can make a huge difference for people living in the slums of Myanmar without enough food to survive. A $200 gift can provide a family with essential supplies, like food, for six months.

To help vulnerable people overcome hardship during the pandemic, please support our local partners, such as Myanmar Jesuit Mission, through our Emergency Action Fund

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Posted 27 October 2020