Myanmar's Humanitarian Emergency

Image by OpinioJuris [i]

Myanmar is facing one of the world’s worst humanitarian crises. Since the military seized power in February 2021, violence has escalated, displacing millions and leaving nearly 20 million people in urgent need of humanitarian aid. Despite international efforts, the situation continues to deteriorate, with attacks on civilians, healthcare infrastructure, and aid workers making relief efforts increasingly difficult. The crisis is further compounded by the military’s control over resources and restrictions on aid access, exacerbating suffering among the most vulnerable populations.

Escalating Conflicting and Civilian Suffering 

Myanmar has become a battleground between the military-led State Administration Council (SAC) and an expanding alliance of non-state armed groups. The military’s airstrikes, indiscriminate shelling, and extrajudicial killings have left thousands dead and millions displaced. The conflict is no longer confined to traditional hotspots; regions previously considered safe, such as central Myanmar, are now experiencing intense fighting, making humanitarian access nearly impossible.

The rise of armed resistance has been unprecedented. Various ethnic armed groups and newly formed militias, known as People’s Defense Forces (PDFs), have escalated their offensive against the military. This has led to a strategic shift, with the military increasingly relying on airpower and long-range artillery to crush opposition. However, this approach has resulted in mass civilian casualties and destruction of essential infrastructure, pushing entire communities into cycles of violence and displacement.

In Rakhine State, the Rohingya continue to suffer from systemic discrimination and displacement. With over 148,000 Rohingya confined in camps for more than a decade, access to food, healthcare, and education remains critically limited. The military has also been accused of:

A Humanitarian Catastrophe

The humanitarian situation is dire. 

Myanmar’s healthcare system is collapsing, with over 1,500 attacks on medical facilities recorded since 2021. Disease outbreaks, such as:

are spreading rapidly due to poor sanitation and restricted medical access. The deliberate targeting of healthcare workers and hospitals further cripples the country's ability to respond to public health emergencies.

Climate-related disasters have worsened the crisis. In 2024, Typhoon Yagi affected over a million people, destroying homes, crops, and infrastructure, and further straining an already fragile aid system. Flooding and landslides are increasing due to deforestation and poor environmental management, forcing communities to flee multiple times within the same year. Yet, Myanmar receives only a fraction of global climate adaptation funding, leaving those affected with little hope of recovery.

Despite the scale of the humanitarian crisis, the military has imposed severe restrictions on international aid organizations. Bureaucratic red tape, movement restrictions, and outright refusals to grant access to conflict-affected regions have left millions without life-saving assistance. As the conflict intensifies, the international community is struggling to find viable ways to deliver aid while bypassing military-controlled channels.

International Response and Aid Efforts

International organizations, including the EU and the UK, have increased funding to assist those affected by the crisis.

However, these efforts remain insufficient given the scale of the crisis.

Diplomatic measures, including sanctions on military leaders and businesses supplying the junta, have had limited impact in forcing change. While regional bodies like ASEAN have attempted to mediate the conflict through their Five-Point Consensus, progress has been minimal. Myanmar’s military continues to defy international pressure, banking on geopolitical divisions to sustain its rule.

Despite international pledges, only a fraction of the nearly 20 million people in need are receiving aid. The sheer complexity of the crisis—ranging from political turmoil to climate disasters—requires a more coordinated and long-term approach from the global community.

How Can You Help

• Educate Yourself and Others: Understanding the importance of the Myanmar Crisis is very important. Learn about the situation and share this knowledge with friends, family, and your community. Awareness is the first step toward action, and by spreading information, you help keep this issue in the spotlight, encouraging more people to get involved.
• Raise Awareness: Share this information on social media to spread awareness about the Ethiopian crisis.
• Donate to Humanitarian Organizations: Organizations like IRC, UNHCR, and Save the Children are on the ground providing aid. Your donations can help provide relief to those wounded by the crisis. The children need you. 
• Advocate for Policy Action: Use your voice to call for greater humanitarian support and protection for civilians in Myanmar. Join with others and urge governments and international bodies to prioritize humanitarian assistance for Ethiopia.
• Support Refugees: Many Myanmar refugees have fled to neighboring countries. Support initiatives that provide shelter and resources to displaced populations. 
• Engage in Fundraising: Community-led fundraising efforts can provide significant contributions to organizations working on the ground. Host a fundraiser within your local community, school, or workplace to collect funds for relief efforts. Find more information on the organizations you can direct your profits to in the affiliate links below. 
• Pray: If you are religious or spiritual, consider holding Myanmar and its people in your thoughts and prayers.

Affiliate links on How to Help