Myanmar: WHO Health Emergency Appeal 2026

CONTEXT

Myanmar continues to grapple with the compounded effects of protracted armed conflict and recurrent natural disasters, including earthquakes, floods and cyclones. As of October 2025, these multiple and overlapping crises had displaced more than 3.6 million people internally (IDPs), leading to one of the most complex humanitarian emergencies in the region. According to the 2026 Humanitarian Needs and Response Plan (HNRP), an estimated 9.3 million people across the country are in urgent need of essential health services. Notably, 74% of people in need have been severely affected by recent shocks, particularly the devastating earthquake in March 2025 and ongoing armed conflict. IDPs account for 22% of those requiring assistance, while the remaining 4% include returnees, resettled and locally integrated IDPs, and non-displaced stateless populations.

Vulnerable groups, especially women, children, older persons, individuals with disabilities and those experiencing mental health challenges, face significant barriers to accessing even the most basic healthcare. Without immediate and sustained support, their health and well-being remain at critical risk. The Multi-Sector Needs Assessment (MSNA) highlights the most pressing obstacles to healthcare access: 52% of the population cite financial constraints as the primary barrier, followed by 29% who report the absence of nearby functional health facilities and 6% who face a lack of adequate treatment options. Between January and mid-October 2025, WHO’s Surveillance System for Attacks on Health Care (SSA) recorded 50 verified attacks, resulting in 83 deaths and 132 injuries, representing a dramatic increase compared to 2024. These attacks have severely damaged healthcare infrastructure and disrupted the delivery of essential medical supplies and personnel. In addition to the immediate impacts of drones attacking hospitals and community clinics, these attacks continue creating fear among patients, their families and community health workers. Unfortunately, a consistent increase in restrictions on civilians and health providers throughout 2025 has disrupted their ability to carry even basic medicines and supplies, including gauze, bandages and analgesics.

The earthquake in March 2025 severely disrupted critical services for people living with disabilities. Over half (61%) lost access to electricity, 54% reported damaged or destroyed housing, and nearly 48% lacked safe drinking water. In 2025, only 60% of female-headed and 62% of male-headed households with disabilities reported receiving humanitarian assistance. Women reported higher rates of difficulty than men, with the largest gender gap observed in mobility: 21% of women reported difficulty walking compared to 14% of men.

The compounded effects of conflict and disaster have also intensified Myanmar’s mental health crisis, exacerbated by displacement, loss of livelihoods and persistent insecurity. Myanmar ranks as the third most climate-affected country globally from 1993 to 2022 and is classified as very high risk for all hazards and exposures by the INFORM Risk Index Mid 2025. Access to basic health services is particularly dire in Rakhine and Kayah, where nearly half the population faces serious difficulties, while between 25% and 40% of residents in Kachin, Tanintharyi, Kayin, Northern Shan and Chin need humanitarian health assistance. Disease outbreaks are on the rise due to unsafe drinking water, inadequate sanitation and the interruption of routine health programmes. A nationwide cholera outbreak occurred between June 2024 and April 2025, malaria has resurged due to supply shortages and dengue fever continues to affect children under 15. Alarmingly, 1.5 million children under five have missed basic vaccinations since 2018, increasing the risk of measles and diphtheria and the possible re-emergence of polio.