The crisis in Myanmar is worsening and children are bearing the brunt, with more than half out of school and many facing malnutrition amid rising food insecurity, the UK government said Wednesday.
More than 18 million people in Myanmar now need humanitarian assistance, up from 17.6 million a year ago, UK Ambassador James Kariuki told at a UN summit, calling on the international community to ramp up aid to the country.
“Myanmar’s youth and children are bearing the brunt of this crisis, triggered by the military coup and their repression of the civilian population,” he said.
“More than half are out of school, routine vaccinations are being disrupted, and with food insecurity on the rise, there is a risk that many will suffer from childhood malnutrition,” he added.
The UK government has helped some 1.8 million people in Myanmar with nutrition and livelihood support, said Kariuki, adding that much more needs to be done.
The international community should work towards increasing access to education and health services in Myanmar, support children’s education through local partners, and protect civilians, including children, against violence, he added.