5 Minute Briefing: Myanmar's Humanitarian Crises

The Situation: War, Disaster, and Unmet Needs

Myanmar (Burma)'s history is riddled with violence. From 1948-2011, civil war took 130,000 lives and left the country dangerously underdeveloped. Although the end of the conflict in 2011 relieved the Myanmarese (Burmese) people, peace did not last long.

In 2021, a military coup against the elected National League for Democracy launched the nation back into a deadly and ongoing civil war. Over 80,000 people have been killed so far. Parts of Myanmar have been taken by the military junta, which has indiscriminately killed thousands of civilians. Other parts are controlled by dozens of resistance forces, some of them ethnic armed organizations and others coalitions of activists and protestors. The frontlines are constantly shifting, from towns to hospitals, from schools to homes.

       UNICEF Myanmar/2025/Nyan Zay Htet

In the midst of the civil war, on March 28, 2025, a 7.7 magnitude earthquake took over 3,700 lives and, combined with over 140 aftershocks (up to 5.9 magnitude), utterly devastated crucial infrastructure. Over 190 health facilities were damaged. 

While fighting stalled for a time due to the catastrophe, the war is still ongoing and gaining dangerous momentum.

Healthy People are Empowered People

Right now, over 20 million people in Myanmar urgently need humanitarian aid. Basic human rights to health, food, water, shelter, and security are violated everyday, and the world's inaction perpetuates this violence. When people are injured, sick, and devastated, progress towards a greater future slows. 

     DOH HLAY/2021

Due to the recent termination of 83% of USAID programs, the Myanmarese people have lost 25-40% of the humanitarian funding on which they rely. 

With essential medicine running out, health facilities damaged, and illness, malnutrition, and conflict on the rise, we have to act. The Myanmarese are mothers and fathers, children and young adults, students, teachers, doctors, farmers-- they are people. Just like us, they aspire to a safer, better tomorrow. We must not ignore the violations of our fellow humans. We must stand for peace and empower the Myanmarese. 

As global citizens, it is our duty.

What Can You Do?

The humanitarian crisis in Myanmar is overwhelming, but there is a way you can help. 

Social media has become a powerful, widely accessible, and free tool of activists. Awareness does make real change around the world, and the power to inform is in your hands, literally. Inform your friends, your family, your followers, your community. Share and empower the voices of the Myanmarese. Engage in a social media demonstration (details). 

     MEDICAL ACTION MYANMAR/2020-2025

Donations make a direct impact. To supply essential medicines, staff emergency and health services, and treat people in hard-to-reach areas, funds are necessary, and contributions do not have to break the bank. $1 can get you a candy bar, $5 a coffee, $7 a boba tea. You can buy a yourself a treat. You can also save a life.

Spare change here makes real change there. 

All donations will be transferred to Medical Action Myanmar (MAM) on Human Rights Day (December 10th, 2025) to support their efforts in providing healthcare to those most in need.