Arakan among Myanmar's worst-hit regions in humanitarian crisis

By Admin 20 Nov 2025

DMG Newsroom

20 November 2025, Mrauk-U

Myanmar is grappling with multiple crises caused by military conflict, floods, and earthquakes, leaving the humanitarian situation alarmingly dire.

The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UNOCHA Myanmar) reported on 17 November that nearly 3.6 million people were internally displaced nationwide as of November 2025 - the highest number on record.

Arakan State, along with the northwest and southeast regions, has been particularly affected by conflict. The World Food Programme (WFP) continues to identify Myanmar as a hunger hotspot of critical concern.

UNOCHA predicts that the nutritional situation in Arakan, especially in Maungdaw and Buthidaung townships, is likely to deteriorate rapidly.

"The locals in Maungdaw town are a little better off, but the situation in rural areas is bad. We see people not having enough to eat for a day. Many locals work casual jobs and many rely on donations. Some even share what little they have with their neighbors," said a local man in Maungdaw.

In the first half of 2025, Myanmar was ranked the second most conflict-affected country in the world, and the situation for civilians in conflict zones continued to worsen.

Locals also report that injuries from landmines and other explosive devices remain a major concern. According to UNOCHA, 357 civilians were killed by such weapons in the first half of 2025, with children accounting for 27 percent of the total.

Despite this massive humanitarian crisis, UNOCHA says only 15 percent of the $1.1 billion needed for 2025 has been received.

"Most locals here are farmers who hunt and fish for food. Some earn a living by carrying goods, but the Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army has ambushed and destroyed supplies with mines, making business difficult. Recently, even traders have been reluctant to travel," said a man from Nanthartaung Village in northern Maungdaw.

The report warns that the current funding shortfall poses a serious threat to providing life-saving assistance to millions in need. UNOCHA strongly urges all parties to the conflict to protect civilians and civilian infrastructure in accordance with international humanitarian law (IHL).