Over 2 million individuals have been forced to abandon their homes in Myanmar since October 2021, as per UN statistics. This devastating situation is a direct result of the conflict ignited by the offensive launched by three resistance groups against the Myanmar military junta. As per the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), about half a million people have had to leave their homes following the offensive, with an additional 1.5 million already displaced prior to the operation.
The situation in Myanmar has deteriorated significantly since the military coup in February 2021, which culminated in the imprisonment of former Head of Government Aung San Suu Kyi. The intense conflicts have reached two-thirds of the country, leaving countless civilians suffering in this escalating crisis.
Despite the UN reports illustrating the alarming increase in displaced individuals, more than 2 million people have been forced to flee as a consequence of the ongoing conflict. The costs of this conflict have only risen as the offensive launched in October has spiraled out of control, culminating in widespread displacement and suffering. As a result, OCHA has called for an urgent escalation in humanitarian aid funding to cope with the needs of the affected population.
Long-standing issues such as military coups, protests, and lethal force have added to the escalating refugee crisis in Myanmar. The violent suppression of protesters, widespread protests leading to civil unrest, and the economic freefall have intensified since the military coup in February 2021. Furthermore, the airstrikes and military actions led by the junta have resulted in significant civilian casualties and displacement while resistance groups have launched attacks on junta bases, adding fuel to the volatile situation.
The escalating situation in Myanmar has created a dire humanitarian crisis, with millions displaced and thousands dead or detained. The ongoing conflict, spearheaded by the military junta and resistance groups, has plunged the country into chaos and unrest.
