The Ongoing Conflict in Myanmar
The conflict in Myanmar, which has been escalating for more than three years since the military takeover, is having a severe impact on people across the country and the region. Two senior UN officials recently addressed the Security Council, highlighting the devastating effects of the ongoing fighting.
Impact on Communities
- The expansion of fighting has deprived communities of basic needs and access to essential services.
- The situation has had a profound impact on human rights and fundamental freedoms.
Concern for the Rohingya Community
Reports indicate indiscriminate aerial bombardments by the Myanmar Armed Forces and artillery shelling by various parties, leading to a rising civilian toll. The situation in Rakhine state, home to the Rohingya community, is particularly dire.
- Fighting between the Myanmar military and the Arakan Army has reached unprecedented levels of violence.
- The Arakan Army’s territorial control poses a threat to the Rohingya community.
Addressing Root Causes
Efforts to address the root causes of the Rohingya crisis are crucial to establishing a sustainable pathway out of the current crisis. Failure to do so and continued impunity will perpetuate the cycle of violence in Myanmar.
Regional Impacts
The crisis in Myanmar has spillover effects in the region, weakening transnational security and allowing illicit economies to thrive. The country has become a hub for drug production and cybercrime, with criminal networks preying on the vulnerable population.
Humanitarian Impacts
The humanitarian impacts of the crisis are significant, with millions of people displaced and facing food insecurity. Basic services like healthcare and education have been severely disrupted, disproportionately affecting women and girls.
Humanitarian organizations stress the urgent need for increased funding, safe access to those in need, and support for aid workers as the conflict intensifies.