Myanmar

Vulnerable farmers in Myanmar are still recovering from the major floods that swept through rural areas between July and October this year. Humanitarian needs remain and longer-term recovery work must be expanded to help farmers rebuild resilient livelihoods.

In mid-October, the Government, FAO and the World Food Programme (WFP) released an assessment of the impact of the floods and landslides on farmers in the six most-affected states or regions of Sagaing, Chin, Ayeyarwady, Rakhine, Bago and Magway. The Agriculture and Livelihood Flood Impact Assessment was carried out with the support of partners UN Women, World Vision, Cooperazione e Sviluppo, CARE, Japan International Cooperation Agency and the Livelihoods and Food Security Trust Fund.

Agriculture bore the brunt of the disaster, with the sector accounting for half of all losses. The assessment shows more than 527 000 hectares of crops were affected by flooding—mostly paddy rice—and more than 242 000 livestock were killed (poultry, cattle, pigs and goats). Farmers also lost tools, fertilizer, irrigation systems, fishing nets, traps and boats. In addition, the assessment found that seasonal job opportunities had been significantly reduced, impacting heavily on the most vulnerable households that often rely on this casual work.

The Government has also requested a Government-FAO-WFP Crop and Food Security Assessment Mission which will be completed by the end of the year to assess the impact of the floods on the main crops and identify food security and agriculture needs for the next cropping season.

FAO will help vulnerable farmers in the six worst-affected states or regions to resume agricultural production and rebuild resilient livelihoods by providing seeds, small livestock, fertilizers, tools, veterinary support and training.

Controlling transboundary animal diseases

FAO animal health is building capacity to prevent, detect and respond to disease threats. Activities are implemented by FAO’s Emergency Centre for Transboundary Animal Diseases (ECTAD) in Myanmar and 34 other countries. Many communities rely on animals for their livelihoods as well as their food security and nutrition. When diseases jump from animals to humans they can spread around the world in a matter of hours or days, posing a threat to global health security. FAO is working to reduce the impact of animal diseases on lives and livelihoods, and helping to stop emergence and spread of potential pandemics at source.