Humanitarian Crisis & Threats to Healthy

Development in Myanmar
The Approaching Catastrophes & an Urgent Call for Action

Min Thway
Human Growth and Development throughout the Lifespan HHG4M-01
Jacqueline De Souza
August 10th 2023
What’s Happening in Myanmar?

After two and a half year since the 2021 Coup D'état..

¨ Over 8890 civilians killed (ISP database)

¨ Over 23800 arrested (AAPP database)
¨ 2.5 million displaced (ISP database)

“Regression in every area of human rights –

Economic, Social and Cultural, Civil and
Political”
(Volker Türk, UN Human Rights Chief)
Human Rights Violations by the Junta

¨ Freedom of Expression
¨ Torture & Ill-treatments
¨ Death Penalty
¨ Attacks on villages and towns
¨ Displacement of Universal Human Rights
(Amnesty International Report)

¨ Major Humanitarian Crises –

Inadequate Health Care, Malnutrition &
Food
Insecurity, Poverty, Lack of Education
(OCHA database) Image Source: BBC News
Freedom of Expression & Blockage of Aid

¨ Surveillance intensifies both on/off line

¨ Limiting freedom of privacy, security, information, activities

¨ Shutdown of Internet and Telecommunication at various regions

of arm conflicts.

¨ Tight restrictions on Humanitarian Aids and NGOs

¨ Arrest to individuals donating and providing aids to internally-

displaced populations.

At least 10 journalist killed

¨ Independent journalism prohibited
More than 150 detained

(Amnesty International Report)

People in Need of Humanitarian Assistance
With armed conflict, the population in need of help has surged.

Source: United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs Myanmar
Escalating Humanitarian Crises & Its
Impacts on Healthy Development

Food Insecurity

¨ 15.2 million people expected to require food and livelihood assistance in 2023,
— including 2.2 million children and women (FOA database)

¨ Could further increase due to..

1. extreme constraints to humanitarian
access
2. economic uncertainty
- 45 dead toll
3. displacement and high food prices
¨ Compounded by the impact of Cyclone Mocha - 800k in need of
humanitarian aid

(Al Jajeera database)

Lack of Health Care

¨ 10 million people in need of adequate health care.

(OCHA database)

¨ Health care goods and facilities destroyed (Insecurity

Insight database)

¨ Health care workers arrested and killed for connection with

opposition groups (RFA Burmese Report)

¨ “Wounded and IDPS Locals flee to neighboring countries

such as Thailand, Bangladesh, and India for health care
assistance” (Chen et al, 2023).

Image Source: Frontier Myanmar

The Dwindling Economy & Poverty

¨ High inflation rates (Asia Development Outlook Database)

¨ Rising poverty incidences, further contributing to food
insecurity, and malnutrition in children. (Asia Development
Outlook Database) 1. business operations disrupted by
¨ Around 40% of Myanmar's population plunged into poverty in conflict
2022 (The World Bank's Myanmar Economic Monitor)
¨ Employment rates declined 11.5% in 2022 (Asia Development 2. electricity outages
Outlook Database)
3. trade and foreign exchange restrictions
¨ “Remains subject to significant volatility and uncertainty”
4. shortages of inputs

5. frequently changing rules and

regulations
(The World Bank's Myanmar Economic
Monitor)
Inflation
Inflation has surged due to currency depreciation and high commodity prices

Source: Central Statistical Organization

Lack of Education

¨ More than 4 million children disrupted of proper education

(UNOCHA database)
¨ Could result in negative coping mechanism—
child labor, trafficking and early marriage
¨ Attacks on schools, teachers, and students in armed conflicted
zones (GCPEA database)
¨ Many of both the students and teachers dropped out due to —
the Civil Disobedience Movement
Lower quality education
The need to support family

Image Source: Radio Free Asia

Initiative of “Action4Myanmar” Campaign

¨ Advocacy for more International Attention and Action

¨ Initiation of more effective and continuing Aid

1. The Myanmar Issue should be on the same scale as the Russia-

Ukraine Issue
2. The function of International actors and media coverage: Best
strategy for International attention on Myanmar
3. Overflow of Aid assistances should come in, Current levels not
adequate
“Building Resilience Together” Collaborative Aid Project

¨ One collaborative body of Aid Organization that gathers all Aid

Associations and promotes their combined strength
¨ Resource sharing
¨ Transparent and Accountable
¨ Continuity and Adaptability
¨ Does not interest in political leanings

Image Source: Mizzima News

No room for proper development and growth to take place.

¨ Delay in proper development of physical, social, moral, and

intellectual growth.

“ The incidence of wasting and stunting among children under 5

has increased, risking generational effects that leave children with
lower cognitive ability, educational attainment, and income as
adults.”

(Myanmar- Asian Development Outlook April 2023)

Necessities for Healthy Growth &
Development

¨ Disruption of healthy development not limited to one

but multifold categories.
¨ Ranging from..

1. lack of proper nutrition and

access to food

2. lack of proper health care

3. lack of capital for adequate

living standards

4. lack of proper shelter

5. lack of proper education

—Basic needs according to Maslow that leads to a

life which induces healthy growth unfulfilled.
Why Collaborative Aid?

¨ Collaborative Aid: Unified aid organization combining strengths

of multiple associations.

¨ Challenges in Myanmar: Food insecurity, healthcare gaps,

economic decline, disrupted education.

¨ Need for Coordinated Approach: Address challenges

comprehensively through unity

Image Source: The Diplomat

Transparency, Continuity & Adaptability

¨ Balancing continuity and adaptability.

¨ Commitment to Aid: Long-term efforts due to evolving crisis,

recognizing recovery's duration.

¨ Flexibility and Adaptability: Responsive to changing on-ground

needs.

¨ Humanitarian Focus: Prioritizing immediate relief irrespective

of politics.

¨ Target Beneficiaries: Aiding vulnerable groups - women,

children, displaced individuals.
Conclusion

1. Highlighted Crisis Aspects: Healthcare, education, basic needs,

food insecurity, malnutrition, poverty.
2. Importance of Humanitarian Aid: Collaboration to tackle
challenges effectively.
3. "Action4Myanmar" Campaign: Urges global attention, aid,
media coverage.
4. United Effort: Transcending politics for lasting impact.
5. Immediate Action Required: Urgent attention, collective effort.
6. Towards a Better Future: Uniting for a peaceful, just Myanmar.

Image Source: Green Network Asia

The Presentation Ends Here.
Thank You for Joining.
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