ASIA/MYANMAR - The civil conflict causes more than three million displaced people

Yangon (Agenzia Fides) - In the last six months, the number of displaced people in Myanmar has doubled, reaching a total number of more than 3 million, according to Stephen Anderson, UN Humanitarian Coordinator and resident in the country. This confirms a growing humanitarian crisis in the nation. Since October last year, the number of displaced people in Myanmar has seen a drastic increase, coinciding with the intensification of armed resistance led by the People's Defense Forces and various ethnic groups in the north and west of the country, in response to the military coup in February 2021. Clashes have intensified and government forces have launched massive reprisals, causing immense suffering among the civilian population.
According to the UN statement, more than 2.7 million people have left their homes since the army took power, and more than a third of them are children. These displaced children face great difficulties in accessing education and adequate nutrition, putting their future at risk, according to the UN. In addition, half of the displaced people in Myanmar are confirmed to come from the northwestern regions of Chin, Magway and Sagaing. The statement also notes that the "Displaced are struggling to survive amid a widespread humanitarian crisis that has left a total of 18.6 million people in need in the nation, one million more than the previous year. Those in need include 6 million children". At the moment, almost a third of the country's total population (54 million) requires urgent humanitarian assistance.
Finally, the Burmese army is waging intense fighting against ethnic Karen fighters to regain control of the town of Myawaddy, located near the Thai border. This city is considered strategic due to its importance as the main commercial center with Thailand.
According to estimates by independent organizations, more than 6,000 civilians have been killed in Myanmar since February 2021. More than 20,000 people are detained for political reasons, including democratic leader Aung San Suu Kyi, who is serving a 27-year sentence for alleged corruption. (PA) (Agenzia Fides, 11/5/2024)

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