Arakan children deprived of basic rights amid escalating conflict

By Admin 20 Nov 2025

DMG Newsroom

20 November 2025, Mrauk-U

Human rights activists in Arakan State are calling for children in the conflict-torn region to be fully afforded basic rights on World Children's Day, November 20.

Social workers say children in Arakan State face ongoing threats from airstrikes, food and nutrition shortages, and a loss of access to education, healthcare and basic rights to life. Many are also denied essential health protections such as full vaccination.

Children are believed to be suffering both psychological and physical harm due to attacks in the ongoing conflict, with parents urged to take special care to support their wellbeing.

"Children also face airstrikes during the fighting. These are very big challenges for them. Even if children are not physically injured, they are mentally traumatized," said a mother in Myebon. "They are deprived of the freedom to go outside and play freely, which is necessary for their development, and they are also deprived of necessary nutrients."

Children in Arakan State continue to face death, injury and threats to their lives due to airstrikes, artillery fire and drone attacks by Myanmar's military regime. Airstrikes have hit civilian areas including residential neighborhoods, schools and monasteries - locations protected under international law - undermining children's right to education.

Human rights activists in Arakan State say the international community must intervene to stop the military regime's crimes and rights violations.

"I believe the military regime is heading towards genocide when it bombs places where children are studying, even though they are not military targets," said a human rights activist in Rathedaung. "I see it as depriving children of the opportunity to study - the foundation of a country - and thus destroying generations. I call on the UN and other international organizations not only to issue statements, but to take practical measures to prevent the loss of children's rights."

Nearly 600,000 people are internally displaced in Arakan State. Children in displacement camps and impoverished areas face malnutrition as families struggle with food shortages, and some resort to begging.

"For children in displacement camps, even if they are supported by aid groups, they don't get enough to eat. It is very difficult for them to get supplements and nutritious food," said an aid worker in Ann Township. "Because families have no income and are struggling to survive, they can't ensure children are getting enough food."

With trade and agriculture disrupted by the conflict, Arakan State could face famine by 2025, with an estimated 2 million people at risk of starvation, according to the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).

Food shortages are forcing displaced children to work at a young age, with many taking on odd jobs to help support their families.

UNICEF Myanmar announced on World Children's Day that more than 1 million children have been displaced due to conflict and disasters across the country. As of mid-year, more than 3.5 million people nationwide had been displaced, over 1 million of them children severely affected in areas including food, water, education and healthcare.