U.N. Warns of Deepening Humanitarian Crisis in Myanmar, Calls for $1 Billion in Donations

The United Nations has issued a warning about the deteriorating humanitarian situation in Myanmar, with over 18 million people, or one-third of the population, now requiring aid. The crisis has intensified since the military coup nearly three years ago. The UN report notes that the civilian population in Myanmar is living in fear, with children particularly affected by displacement, disrupted healthcare and education, food insecurity, malnutrition, and protection risks.

The mass displacement has reached alarming levels, with nearly 2.6 million people forced out of their homes as of December 11. The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) has called for $994 million in donations to address the urgent needs of the prioritized 5.3 million people in Myanmar in 2024, emphasizing the importance of avoiding a repeat of the underfunding experienced in 2023.