WFP Strongly Condemns the Looting and Burning of Food Warehouse in Maungdaw Rakhine State

WFP Strongly Condemns the Looting and Burning of Food Warehouse in Maungdaw Rakhine State

On June 21, WFP's food warehouse was looted and then burned, destroying 1,175 metric tons of food and emergency relief aid, which was enough to feed 64,000 people for a month. The World Food Program (WFP) has strongly condemned the burning of its food warehouse in Maungdaw town, Rakhine State.

There AA has reported that the destruction of WFP warehouse on June 21,

that Junta troops and allied militia members set fire to the WFP warehouse in Waitharli village, Maungdaw township, as well as nearby residential houses. They also looted packages believed to be cement from the warehouse, which AA alleges the Junta is using to build defensive fortifications in the district office.

“The seizure of food and other goods and the destruction of humanitarian facilities in Maungdaw undermines our efforts and must be stopped”, WFP stated.

WFP also called on all parties to the conflict to uphold their obligations under International Humanitarian Law to ensure that humanitarian facilities and assets are respected and protected, and safe and secure access is provided for the delivery of vital assistance to those in urgent need. WFP announced that it will continue to gather details of the circumstances surrounding the incident.

In Maungdaw, intense fighting is ongoing between the Junta and the Arakha Army (AA), with the Junta fortifying its defenses throughout the town and fiercely resisting the AA's offensive.

AA condemned the Junta, which is facing setbacks in the battles in Maungdaw, for deliberately committing destructive activities, targeting even international and humanitarian organizations.

WFP is the world's largest humanitarian aid organization, providing assistance in conflict zones, recovery efforts from natural disasters and the effects of climate change, and promoting peace, stability, and prosperity.

WFP has been providing emergency food relief to people affected by conflicts across Myanmar, helping nearly 1 million individuals this year.

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