Myanmar

05 March 2025

Healthcare needs in Myanmar are on the rise, particularly in the northwestern region. Since the acute watery diarrhoea outbreak in June 2024, nine states out of 17 have reported outbreaks of water- and vector-borne diseases. Clean water, medicine, and vaccine shortages have worsened the situation. In 2025, it is estimated that 12.9 million people will need healthcare assistance, while 1.2 million unvaccinated children under five are at high risk for vaccine-preventable diseases. Restrictions imposed by the military junta on transportation have aggravated the scarcity of medical supplies, particularly in Chin and Rakhine states and in Sagaing region. The number of displaced people in these regions is also increasing. Rakhine and Sagaing account for over 1.5 million of Myanmar’s 3.2 million IDPs. The US funding freeze is worsening the crisis, as it severely limits the ability of humanitarian organisations to deliver lifesaving health assistance to those in urgent need. With the rainy season approaching, conditions are expected to deteriorate even further. (WHO 28/02/2025, RFA 28/02/2025, UNHCR 18/02/2025)

04 February 2025

Intense armed clashes between anti-junta armed groups and military junta forces, as well as raids conducted by the latter, have displaced around 26,000 residents of Pwintbyu and Salin townships in Magway region since late January 2025. The new displacements will likely take the number of IDPs in the region to around 275,000. Significant damage to homes has been reported, with the newly displaced people living in makeshift shelters. Harvested rice crops in some areas have also been destroyed. This will heighten the shelter and food security needs in the region. Based on previous displacement events, the newly displaced people will likely urgently require food, water, health, protection assistance, shelter, and household items. Armed conflict, movement and administrative restrictions, the obstruction of humanitarian operations, and violence against aid workers highly constrain humanitarian access in Myanmar. Transportation restrictions also hinder the delivery of essential services and disrupt the supply chain. (RFA 03/02/2025, Myanmar NOW 03/02/2025, UNHCR 31/01/2025)

02 January 2025

Since 2022, around 15,900 Rohingya people have attempted to undertake dangerous maritime journeys in over 190 overcrowded and unseaworthy vessels – nearly 50% of which embarked just within 2024 (until 19 December) – from Myanmar or Bangladesh in hopes of reaching other countries, such as Malaysia and Indonesia. Over 1,400 have died or gone missing, 50% in 2024 alone. Nearly 95% of the vessels that undertook the journeys in 2024 embarked from Rakhine state, from where the Rohingya are fleeing to escape intense armed conflict and violence, forced recruitment, high food insecurity levels, and severe access restrictions. These people need food, water, healthcare, and protection during and after their journeys. Such journeys are likely to increase in the coming months given non-monsoon weather conditions, a trend that has been observed in previous years. (UNHCR accessed 02/01/2025, UNHCR 05/11/2024, OCHA 13/12/2024)

17 December 2024

15.2 million people in Myanmar are facing acute food insecurity, with 2.3 million classified to be facing Emergency (IPC Phase 4) conditions. The majority reside in Chin, Kachin, and Rakhine states and Sagaing region. The main drivers are intense and widespread conflict, economic collapse, and recurring natural hazards. Extreme levels of humanitarian constraints, such as violence against humanitarian personnel, facilities, and assets; interference with humanitarian implementation; the denial of the degree of the crisis, including by restricting the collection and publication of food insecurity data and analysis; and administrative and physical impediments to reaching people in need significantly aggravate the situation. The affected people urgently require emergency food assistance. (Humanitarian Action 12/12/2024, Reuters 16/12/2024, ACAPS accessed 18/12/2024)

19 November 2024

Insecurity and armed conflict in Rakhine state have reached a historic high. By mid-November 2024, the number of reported fatalities had surpassed the combined figure for the previous ten years. The number of IDPs had also reached around 530,000, 15% of the state’s estimated population of 3.6 million. Those residing in Rakhine are facing widespread food insecurity, as rice production has significantly fallen, the cost of food has increased, and there is widespread unemployment and a lack of a social safety net, limiting purchasing power. There are also severe restrictions on humanitarian access and a lack of access to essential services. In 2024, there has been a significant uptick in cross-border displacements and dangerous maritime journeys among the Rohingya attempting to reach other countries, indicating the severity of the humanitarian situation in Rakhine. (UNDP 07/11/2024, UNHCR accessed 20/11/2024, ACLED accessed 20/11/2024)

12 November 2024

Since July 2024, heavy monsoon rains and the remnants of Typhoon Yagi have resulted in intense flooding that has significantly heightened the humanitarian needs in Myanmar. The floods have destroyed around 3,000 houses and damaged 36,000, which currently need repair. The most flood-affected areas include the regions and states in the northwest and southeast, as well as Rakhine state. (Shelter Cluster 08/11/2024)

08 October 2024

The Myanmar military junta has increased airstrikes in Lashio town. Out of a population of 250,000, around 200,000 have fled to other towns in Shan state (such as Kalaw, Nyaung Shwe, and Taunggyi) and main cities of other regions such as Mandalay. The people of Lashio town are experiencing recurrent displacements caused by the fighting. Based on previous displacements, IDPs would need urgent shelter, food, potable water, protection, healthcare support (especially psychosocial support), and access to WASH facilities and items. People who are currently residing in Lashio are facing heightened protection concerns. The humanitarian response in the town is hindered by airstrikes and a telecommunications and internet blackout. Many humanitarian organisations have suspended their operations or evacuated from Lashio earlier in 2024 because of insecurity. Fighting in the town has already resulted in significant casualties and damage and destruction to civilian infrastructure such as homes and offices. Media reports suggest that a possible future ground offensive by the junta to recapture the town is imminent. (ECHO 03/10/2024, RFA 02/10/2024, BNI 07/10/2024)