Myanmar flood: UN provides food to 435,000 people

United Nations, Aug 12: The World Food Programme (WFP) is working to provide emergency food assistance to 435,000 people in Myanmar.

"A one-month supply of rice, chickpeas, cooking oil, salt and, in some cases, a one-week ration of high-energy biscuits is being provided," Xinhua quoted UN spokesperson Stephane Dujarric as saying on Tuesday.

The WFP is working with the government of Myanmar, other UN agencies and local NGOs regarding the food assistance, he said. "So far, more than 213,000 people have been reached with food aid."

The deadly flood in Myanmar, triggered by heavy rainfall since June, have affected 13 regions and states across the country, destroying houses, farmland, railway lines, bridges and roads.

The Myanmar government has declared four disaster zones Rakhine, Chin, Sagaing and Magway, of which Rakhine state was the worst hit.

The severe flooding has affected nearly one million people in the country, according to authorities.

IANS