The United Nations has warned that half of the population of Myanmar could be living in poverty next year due to the Covid-19 pandemic and political turmoil.

The UN Development Programme Administrator Achim Steiner said in its report that this level of impoverishment has never been seen in the country since 2005, and the economy is facing significant risks of a collapse.

The study also noted that as economic, health and political crises affect people and communities differently, vulnerable groups are more likely to suffer in particular, the Rohingya community.

The situation worsened further with the military takeover an February 1 this year and the ensuing security and human rights crisis.