Myanmar Humanitarian Update No. 45

HIGHLIGHTS & KEY MESSAGES

• Humanitarian assistance in Myanmar has been severely impacted by the global shock to humanitarian funding, disrupting critical aid to many highly vulnerable populations. Local organizations, who play a vital role in accessing people in need, are the the hardest hit.
• Armed conflict between the Myanmar Armed Forces (MAF) and various non-state armed groups persists across multiple states and regions, with more than 3.5 million people estimated to be displaced from their homes.
• Civilians face continued violence and worsening humanitarian conditions amid daily challenges with food security, clean water and sanitation, health, shelter and education.
• Skin infections and waterborne diseases have broken out in Rakhine, northwestern and southeastern Myanmar due to poor living conditions and limited access to clean water and healthcare.
• Northwestern Myanmar, which hosts nearly half of the country’s total displaced population, has seen a surge in civilian casualties as the conflict continues to escalate.
• Almost four months into the year, the 2025 Humanitarian Needs and Response Plan, is only 4.9 per cent funded. Humanitarian organizations continue to deliver limited lifesaving assistance wherever possible, but increased funding and sustained access are urgently needed to reach those most in need.

KEY FIGURES

4.2M People reached by the end of 2024, covering 79 per cent of the target

19.9M People in need in 2025

5.5M People targeted in 2025

4.9% FUNDED The 2025 HNRP has received $55.4M against the $1.1B appeal.

SITUATION OVERVIEW

Civilians face continued threats amid widespread conflict

Protection concerns remain at the forefront of Myanmar’s deepening humanitarian crisis, as civilians face violence, displacement, and barriers to accessing essential humanitarian assistance. Escalating conflict between the MAF and various non-state armed groups continues to pose risks to civilian lives, with clashes, shelling, airstrikes and drone attacks leading to civilian casualties across multiple states and regions. Arbitrary arrests, forced recruitment, extortion, and movement restrictions further exacerbate the challenges faced by affected communities. Disease outbreaks are compounding people’s suffering, particularly in overcrowded displacement sites where healthcare access is severely limited.

Civilians in northwestern Myanmar are heavily affected as the conflict continues unabated across Chin, Magway, Mandalay, and Sagaing. Ongoing fighting, airstrikes, drone and paramotor bombings, mine attacks, raids and arson continue to put civilians at grave risk. In mid-March there were several reports of alleged civilian casualties due to airstrikes in various areas of the Northwest. The region is the epicentre of internal displacement, hosting approximately half of the country’s total displaced population. In Mandalay, intense fighting and aerial attack since 10 March have displaced thousands of people in Madaya and Theikbeikkyin townships. Intensified hostilities in Magway and Sagaing since early February have also forced thousands to flee in Gangaw, Kale, and Pwintphyu townships. The exact number of people displaced is difficult to verify due to the fluid nature of population movements, insecurity and limited telecommunications.

In southeastern Myanmar, recurrent escalation of armed clashes in several states and regions have severely impacted civilians and displaced populations since early 2025. Recent conflict, including aerial attack, shelling, and ground fighting, have forced thousands of people to flee their homes, with an estimated 20,000 displaced in Mon since early January, 6,000 in Bago since 9 March, and 2,800 in Kayin since mid-February, triggering urgent needs for food, medicine, and essential relief items. Aerial attacks and shelling hit residential areas and displacement sites, resulting in civilian casualties and widespread destruction of shelters, homes, schools, and religious buildings, particularly in Kayah, Kayin, and southern Shan. In addition, reported extortion from civilians and displaced people in Hopong, Nyaungshwe and Pekon townships in southern Shan have compounded the hardships faced by vulnerable communities.

Despite multiple challenges, aid workers in Myanmar are delivering life-saving humanitarian assistance, including food, healthcare, clean water, and emergency shelter to affected populations wherever possible. However, increased funding, sustained access, and stronger protection measures are urgently needed. All parties to the conflict must uphold their obligations under international humanitarian law to ensure the protection of civilians and civilian property, including humanitarian workers and assets, and to guarantee unimpeded humanitarian access to people in need.

Impact of funding reductions on the humanitarian response

The shock of global funding reductions in early 2025 has had widespread impact on the humanitarian response in Myanmar. Many life-saving operations have had to be scaled down and in some cases closed, disrupting vital services to the most vulnerable. Reductions in staffing are significantly impacting the capacity of humanitarian organizations to carry out essential operations. The decrease in the provision of support has left affected communities vulnerable, with no mitigation measures in place to address the withdrawal of these critical lifelines. This has exacerbated hardships for those relying on such assistance, further deepening the gap in meeting urgent needs. Furthermore, the abrupt halt in services, including referral mechanisms, is undermining community acceptance and eroding trust in humanitarian organizations. This loss of trust, coupled with heightened tensions, is escalating security risks for humanitarian actors working in affected areas.

Local organizations, who play a vital role in accessing vulnerable and hard-to-reach populations, have been disproportionally affected. Reportedly, hundreds of their staff members have lost their jobs due to the sudden funding reductions. These staff cuts are resulting in a loss of capacity for critical operations. Staff members from local organizations spoke to the impact of the funding reductions on their operations and the people they serve:

“IDPs are struggling even more to survive. When funding was cut for operations in three towns, it directly impacted about 35,000 people, who saw a reduction in food assistance over three months. When funding is also cut for another 10 towns over the same period, that number rises to over 100,000 people, bringing the total to nearly 200,000 people who have had their food assistance suspended…The second issue is staffing. Out of about 60 staff members, around 39 have lost their jobs.” – Staff from a local organization.

“The funding cuts have greatly impacted our aid delivery… Three projects were already suspended since February and two more are facing suspension soon. There were nearly 50,000 people in displacement sites and host communities we regularly provided assistance to…This shouldn’t be the end for the people who need our support.” – Staff from a local faith-based organization.

Four months into the year, the 2025 HNRP for Myanmar is only funded at 4.9 per cent. Without an urgent injection of funds to enable humanitarians to deliver life-saving operations, more and more lives will be at risk.

Disease outbreaks and seasonal water scarcity

Alongside ongoing protection concerns, health, water, sanitation, and hygiene conditions continue to be critical challenges across Myanmar. Annual water shortages during the dry season are exacerbating already severe humanitarian needs, particularly in regions impacted by conflict. In Rakhine, around 60 villages in Ponnagyun Township are facing severe drinking water shortages, with similar issues in Myebon and Pauktaw townships. Poor living conditions and limited access to healthcare are contributing to a rise in skin diseases, affecting more than 3,700 people, including children, across 10 of 17 Rakhine’s townships since early 2025.

In Kayah in southeastern Myanmar, skin infections are widespread in a camp for internally displaced people (IDP) in Demoso Township, and an increase in malaria cases has been reported in Hpasawng Township. Increasing water scarcity in Hpruso Township has also been linked to an increase in skin diseases among displaced people. Access to healthcare remains a major challenge, with many people having difficulty reaching clinics due to poor transportation, insecurity, and a shortage of medical supplies. The lack of safe drinking water poses a significant risk for waterborne diseases, further impacting the health of vulnerable populations.

Outbreaks of acute watery diarrhea (AWD) remain a growing concern, particularly among displaced populations with limited access to sanitation. In Chin in northwestern Myanmar, more than 1,000 people in Kanpetlet, Matupi, Mindat, and Paletwa townships have contracted AWD since early 2025, with two reported deaths. In the Southeast, nearly 200 displaced people in Tanintharyi are also suffering from AWD due to inadequate sanitation. In southern Shan, nearly 60 people in Nyaungshwe Township have been affected with AWD since late January, resulting in three deaths. Immediate action is needed to address health risks and prevent further deterioration of the humanitarian situation.

Continued insecurity in the Northeast

In northeastern Myanmar, armed clashes are driving a worsening situation in Kachin and northern Shan. In Kachin, intense fighting in Bhamo Township since late 2024 has displaced an estimated 32,000 people, with reports of significant civilian casualties. In northern Shan, civilians face daily threats from landmines, explosive ordnance, airstrikes, and shelling, and many parts of the state remain volatile. Nawnghkio Township continues to witness frequent clashes and aerial attacks, which have caused recurrent civilian casualties. An aerial attack on 16 March allegedly hit a monastery in Nawnghkio’s urban area, reportedly killing 14 civilians and injuring several others.

Conflict in Rakhine spreads to neighboring areas

Conflict in Rakhine between the Arakan Army (AA) and MAF continues to intensify, particularly along the PonnagyunSittwe township border and in Kyaukphyu Township. Clashes between the AA and Rohingya armed groups continue near the Bangladesh border in northern Rakhine, further fueling intercommunal tensions. The resumption of conflict since November 2023 has displaced an estimated 350,000 people in Rakhine and Paletwa Township in Chin. This brings the total number of displaced people in Rakhine to 560,000, including those displaced during past and current AA-MAF conflicts and the Rohingya IDPs in the camps established since 2012. Going beyond Rakhine, the AA-MAF conflict is now spreading into the bordering regions of Ayeyarwady, Bago, and Magway, triggering new displacement.

Escalating fighting with airstrikes and exchange of artillery fire have displaced nearly 2,000 people in Kyaukpyu Township as of the first week of March, while an unknown number of people were unable to relocate due to movement restrictions. Shelling in Pauktaw and Rathedaung townships also forced thousands of newly displaced people to relocate to Ponnagyun Township. An estimated 10,000 newly displaced people in Kyaukpyu and Sittwe townships are in urgent need of food and healthcare assistance, and are relying on private donations and religious host communities amid growing concerns about prolonged shortages.