18 Mar Myanmar: Between Armed Conflict and Natural Human-made Disasters
A Deepening Humanitarian Emergency
By Alessandro Zito, Desk South East Asia and Mongolia, ASIA ETS
Myanmar is experiencing one of the most severe humanitarian crises in its recent history, driven by escalating armed conflict and natural human-made disasters worsening living conditions for the population. These overlapping crises have created an emergency requiring urgent and coordinated international intervention.
Armed Conflict and Political Instability
Since the military coup in February 2021, Myanmar has descended into widespread violence and political turmoil. The overthrow of the democratically elected government triggered mass protests, followed by violent repression from the military junta. The Popular Defense Forces (PDFs) and armed ethnic groups intensified resistance against the regime, giving rise to a widespread conflict affecting large areas of the country.
This protracted civil war has resulted in thousands of civilian casualties and forced millions of people to move internally (IDPs – Internally Displaced Persons) or seek refuge in other countries.Violence made access to humanitarian aid very difficult, preventing the distribution of food, drinking water and medical supplies in the most affected regions.
According to UN estimates, a devastating scenario looms: over 5,350 civilian deaths, more than 3.5 million internally displaced persons, some 18.6 million people in need of humanitarian assistance and widespread impoverishment. Inflation has led to a 50% increase in the cost of basic foodstuffs in just one year, pushing some 13.3 million people into food insecurity. Due to malnutrition and undernourishment, almost a quarter of children under 5 suffer from stunted growth. The ACLED 2024 Conflict Index ranks Myanmar as the second most violent country in the world.
Natural Human-made Disasters and Climate Change
In addition to conflict, Myanmar is highly vulnerable to natural and man-made disasters such as cyclones, typhoons, floods, landslides and earthquakes. The country’s geographical location and weak infrastructure resilience amplify the effects of these extreme climate events.
Recent dramatic events, such as Cyclone Mocha in 2023 and Typhoon Yagi in 2024, caused large-scale devastation in coastal regions and inland areas of Myanmar, leaving hundreds of thousands homeless or without livelihoods.These events have undermined water systems, leaving many communities without access to safe water sources and contributing to outbreaks of water-borne diseases such as cholera.
Ongoing illegal logging and unsustainable land use practices have increased the risk of landslides and soil degradation, putting rural communities at even greater risk.
Urban areas are also grappling with severe environmental challenges, including air and water pollution and the lack of robust environmental governance. Population growth and urban sprawl have led to crucial ecosystem destruction, exacerbating the country’s climate vulnerability.
Humanitarian Consequences and Barriers to Recovery
The convergence of war and climate disasters has led to an unprecedented humanitarian crisis. In addition to the loss of life and destruction of strategic infrastructure, millions of people are food insecure and without access to essential services.
The reconstruction process is hampered by several factors, including:
- Ongoing conflict: the presence of fighting makes difficult to reconstruction of destroyed roads, bridges and housing;
- Funding shortfalls: international sanctions and economic instability limit resources available for emergency response;
- Corruption and bureaucratic hurdles: they hinder the management of humanitarian aid and slow down development projects;
- Vulnerability to future disasters: the lack of resilient infrastructure means that affected communities are at risk of further damage if new extreme weather events occur.
The Role of the International Community
Given the scale of the crisis, a concerted global response is critical. Humanitarian organizations, UN agencies, and NGOs like ASIA are striving to provide lifesaving assistance, but military-imposed restrictions severely limit access to affected regions.
Urgent measures are therefore needed to:
- Ensure humanitarian access to affected areas through diplomatic negotiations and international pressure;
- Provide economic and technical assistance for the reconstruction of climate-resilient infrastructure;
- Support displaced populations through resettlement programmes and access to primary services;
- Promote political stability to end the conflict and enable a transition to democratic government.
Findings
Myanmar is facing an unprecedented crisis, with armed conflict and natural human-made disasters that overlap and aggravate the difficulties of the population. Without coordinated international action and a political solution to the conflict, millions of people will continue to suffer. The international community has a moral and strategic responsibility to act decisively to prevent further deterioration of the situation and to support the resilience of affected populations.
Despite the complexity of this situation, ASIA remains committed to assisting Myanmar’s most vulnerable communities, operating with principles of neutrality and independence to provide emergency relief, promote sustainable agricultural practices and ensure food security to needed people.