Post-coup conflict displaces over 3.5 million; one-third children

By Admin 14 Dec 2024

DMG Newsroom
14 December 2024, Mrauk-U

More than 3.5 million people have been displaced by armed conflicts in Myanmar, and one-third of them are children, the United Nations Office for Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UNOCHA) said in a report on Friday.

Children taking refuge at displacement camps have lost access to education, while air and artillery strikes and malnourishment are taking a heavy toll on their physical and mental well-being.

“Children taking refuge in displacement camps, especially those who have experienced fighting, are scared when they hear planes and shelling. … Some often cry and say they want to go home,” said a volunteer helping displaced people in Gwa Township, Arakan State.

Grave human rights violations against children amid conflict have also increased, according to UNOCHA.

Myanmar has been embroiled in a civil war since 2021, after the military coup triggered a popular armed revolt against the Myanmar military. The warzone has expanded over the past three years as ethnic armed organisations joined the fighting and anti-regime groups grew stronger. 

One consequence of these developments: More people are being displaced by armed conflicts.

Many displaced people take refuge in makeshift shelters in forests and mountains and on the outskirts of towns and villages, with little access to food, proper shelter and healthcare services.

“The more that the number of displaced people increases at displacement camps, the more the need for food rises,” said a person helping displaced people in Arakan State. “Those newly displaced need shelter. Children do not have access to medicines and nourishing food. There have been some child fatalities due to the cold weather.”

UNOCHA said 19.9 million people are in need of humanitarian assistance in Myanmar, and 6.3 million of them are children. The UN aid agency predicts that more than 15 million people are likely to face food shortages in 2025.