Nearly 3.8 million displaced in Myanmar, humanitarian aid shortage severe

Nearly 3.8 million people are displaced within Myanmar, and over 16 million require humanitarian assistance, yet less than half of the funding requested for this year has been provided by international donors, according to a report released by the United Nations on July 13. Myanmar has been mired in armed conflict and economic collapse since the military coup in February 2021, and the situation has worsened due to recent operations, airstrikes, and displacement in many areas, the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) stated. The funding gap is extremely severe compared to the needs. Of the US$890 million required for the humanitarian response this year, only 43 percent had been contributed by donors as of the report's release, according to OCHA. In the first quarter, humanitarian organizations were able to reach only 1.6 million out of the 4.9 million people they aimed to assist. Shelter assistance, one of the most basic needs for displaced people, was provided to only about 110,000 people, reaching only three percent of the annual target. Much of the assistance that was delivered was also in short-term or reduced amounts, meaning needs continue to persist even in areas accessible to aid groups, the report stated. The region most severely affected in recent months is Magway Region, where over 100,000 people have been displaced since mid-May due to intensified fighting, military activities, airstrikes, and heavy artillery shelling in Myaing, Pauk, and Saw townships. Of these, over 80,000 are from Pauk Township. Displacement due to fighting continues in other regions as well. In Htantabin Township, Bago Region, about 25,000 people from approximately 30 villages fled, and over 80 houses were damaged or destroyed. In Natogyi Township, about 12,000 people have also been displaced. In Shwegu Township, Kachin State, over 10,000 people have been displaced due to fighting and airstrikes, with civilian casualties also reported. In Tamu Township, Sagaing Region, over 2,200 people have been displaced due to fighting, with about 900 of them crossing into India. The report states that due to new border restrictions imposed on June 9, others are trapped, afraid to move to nearby towns. Fuel shortages, driven by global market pressures and domestic supply limitations, are exacerbating the humanitarian crisis, OCHA said. The rationing of fuel and unstable electricity supply are affecting health facilities, water supply systems, and communication services in conflict-affected areas, and are also increasing the costs of delivering humanitarian aid, the report stated.