Before Myanmar was shaken by a severe 7.7-magnitude earthquake on Friday, the nation was already grappling with a humanitarian crisis. Over 3 million people had been displaced due to an internal conflict that raged for four years, leaving hundreds of thousands without access to essential food and medical aid. International organizations have accused the warring factions of targeting civilians indiscriminately, further escalating the crisis.
Following the quake with its epicenter near Mandalay, Myanmar’s second-largest city, videos circulated on social media showing extensive damage. A subsequent powerful aftershock, measuring 6.4 in magnitude, aggravated fears of casualties and left many potentially trapped amidst the wreckage. The strict control over information and movement within Myanmar has complicated rescue efforts and prevented an accurate assessment of the death toll.
Myanmar, known as Burma until recently, has been in political turmoil since February 1, 2021, when the military seized control from the elected officials led by Aung San Suu Kyi. The takeover resulted in massive popular protest which were brutally suppressed, prompting many to take up arms against the military regime. The ongoing turmoil has plunged significant parts of the country into violent disputes. In the regional political landscape, neighboring China plays a considerable role, allegedly backing a late 2023 military offensive aimed at curbing rampant organized crime along its shared border with Myanmar.
Even before the earthquake, the United Nations estimated that internal conflict had forced hundreds of thousands to flee, contributing to a total of over 3 million internally displaced individuals in Myanmar. As of now, around 18.6 million people require humanitarian aid. Unfortunately, access issues and cuts to foreign assistance have exacerbated the dire conditions in this war-stricken region. Earlier this year, U.S. President Donald Trump’s announcement of a 90-day freeze on foreign aid led to additional service cuts for Myanmar refugees, including the closure of hospital care facilities in Thai camps housing over 100,000 displaced persons, according to activists and Thai authorities.
A primary concern is hunger, as the World Food Program (WFP) reported that food rations distributed in Myanmar are set to be discontinued in April amid an urgent humanitarian crisis. The WFP has stated it would require $60 million to sustain food support and is urging partners to secure extra funding. Alarmingly, the WFP disclosed that nearly one-third of Myanmar’s population, approximately 15.2 million people, cannot fulfill their basic daily nutritional needs, and around 2.3 million are facing critical hunger levels. However, current resources allow the WFP to support only 35,000 of the population’s most vulnerable members, including young children, pregnant and nursing women, and individuals with disabilities.
Recently, Tom Andrews, appointed by the U.N. Human Rights Council to monitor Myanmar’s human rights situation, highlighted the grim health crisis stemming from dwindling aid. He noted that tuberculosis and HIV patients have been going without medication for extended periods, and disabled children have been denied access to therapy centers. Additionally, rights organizations have encountered limitations in their efforts to supply basic necessities such as food and water to affected communities. Andrews’ report paints a stark picture of the health and humanitarian challenges faced by Myanmar as a result of the prolonged conflict and insufficient international aid.