This report aims to describe the ability of poor and vulnerable households in selected areas in Myanmar in meeting their basic food needs1 during the month of April, 2008. It is based on monthly periodic reports produced by the Vulnerability Analysis & Mapping (VAM) Unit at WFP Yangon....Highlights April 2008 ¾ Certain areas show deterioration in terms of employment and wages, but with little effect on household economy, as accumulated savings from previous months have allowed for survival (Kokang, most of Lashio and Taunggyi areas). Other regions show increased distress due to a rise in rice prices and a decrease in employment (NRS, certain locations of Lashio and Taunggyi area); ¾ Yenanchaung, in the Dry Zone, which was heavily affected after the flood of July 2007, seems to have recovered now. Pakhangyi, though less affected and more agriculture-oriented, is entering a lean period of lower wages and reduced employment; ¾ Due to petrol supply cuts in Wa Special Region 2, fuel prices in certain areas are the underlying cause for an increase in the price of goods (15 Yuan for a liter of diesel resulted in a 60% increase of the price rice of 60%); ¾ With the exception of Rathedaung Township, which shows higher wages than in 2007, Northern Rakhine State is faring worse now than in April 2007: all three townships are in an exceptionally worrying state due to low wages, low employment and no assets to rely on.