Myanmar listed as one ofonly four countries in the world in which there are extreme constraints forhumanitarian access.

NarinjaraNews, March 07, 2023

The recent emergency report by the International Federationof Red Cross (IFRC) has highlightedthe dire situation in Myanmar, where the intensification of armed conflict and fighting, has led to thedisplacement of 1.5 million people and the destruction of 34,380 civilian homes. 

Over the past two years since the military coup in Myanmar,the political and civil instabilityin the country has deteriorated steadily due to armed clashes, aerial bombardments, and artillery attacks,government troops fighting against ethnic armed organizations, as well as the People’s Defense Forces (PDF) in variousregions. 

According to statistics up to December 26, 2022,the ongoingarmed conflicts and fighting invarious states and regions across Myanmar, have resulted in the displacement 1.5 million people due tothe military crackdown in Myanmar, and arecurrently living in precarious conditions in various locations acrossthe country.

Since February 2021, a devastating total of 34,380 civilianbuildings, including homes, churches,monasteries, and schools, have been burned down in Myanmar. The northwest region of Myanmar is the areawhere the largest number of people have beendisplaced. Out of a total of 795,600 displaced individuals, 47,200 are in Chin State, 124,400 are in Magway, and astaggering 624,000 are in Sagaing.

The ongoing conflict in Chin, Magway, and Sagaing regionshas resulted in the blockage ofroads due to airstrikes, mortar fire, and ambushes between the People’s Defense Forces and Military Council troops. This has createdsignificant challenges for thedelivery of relief and humanitarian assistance to the affected population. The northwest region of Myanmar is the areawhere the largest number of people have beendisplaced. Out of a total of 795,600 displaced individuals, 47,200 are in Chin State, 124,400 are in Magway, and astaggering 624,000 are in Sagaing.

The ongoing conflict in Chin, Magway, and Sagaing regionshas resulted in the blockage ofroads due to airstrikes, mortar fire, and ambushes between the People’s Defense Forces and Military Council troops. This has createdsignificant challenges for thedelivery of relief and humanitarian assistance to the affected population.

In the southeast of the country, fighting continues betweenthe military and the KNDF, KNU,PDF joint forces, and in Southern Shan State, Kayah (Karenni), Karen, Mon, Eastern Bago and Tanintharyi regions.As of December 26, 2022, it is said that there are 339,000 displaced people in various townships in thesoutheastern region.

In Kachin State, there are 3,000 people in Hpakant townshipalone who have been displaced bythe fighting between the KIA and the military.As of August 19, 2022, there are 90,500 displaced people in Rakhinestate.

The economic situation is also deteriorating, with blockedtransport conditions, currencydepreciation, and soaring fuel prices and transport costs have led to a sharp increase in the prices of basic fooditems. Half of the country’spopulation is living in povertydue to the current political crisis and the previous Covid-19 pandemic, the report said.

Despite the urgent humanitarian needs in Myanmar, there aresignificant challenges in deliveringaid to the affected population. The barriers to movement, systematic roadblocks, outages to electricity andinternet lines, and widespread interrogations at checkpoints, have made it extremely difficult for aidorganizations to reach those in need. 

Furthermore, the recently promulgated associationregistration law has placed significantrestrictions on the ability of international NGOs, local NGOs, and civilsociety organizations (CSOs) toprovide assistance in Myanmar. ACAPS2 identified Myanmar as one of only four country contexts in the world in which thereare extreme constraints forhumanitarian access.

Although a ceasefire was agreed between the Military Counciland the Arakan Army (AA), thefighting that occurred between August and November of 2022 resulted in the deaths of 42 civilians.