Children in a camp for internally displaced people in Myanmar with school supplies provided by BGR partner New Eden Charity Foundation (NECF). Photo courtesy of NECF.
By Joah McGee
Myanmar is now facing an extreme humanitarian crisis driven by political turmoil and systemic challenges. Since the military coup in February 2021, the country has descended into widespread violence, economic disintegration, and deteriorating living conditions. At the heart of this growing catastrophe is a food insecurity crisis. According to the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP), over 15 million people—nearly 28 percent of the population—are currently food insecure in Myanmar.
This alarming development is the result of a perfect storm of conditions: systemic poverty, the Covid-19 pandemic, and the destructive actions of the military regime, which have disrupted livelihoods and crippled the already fragile economy. Perhaps most concerning is what has happened in the agriculture sector, which has basically collapsed. Military operations have destroyed farmland, displaced communities, and restricted access to vital resources such as seeds and fertilizers. In urban centers, once-reliable supply chains have disappeared; food prices have skyrocketed, rendering basic staples unaffordable for most citizens.
Rather than addressing the plight of the people, the military junta has prioritized its grip on power. Its brutal campaigns, particularly in Sagaing, Chin, and Karenni states, have displaced over three million people. Families have been forced to flee their homes and farms, losing their sources of livelihood. Shockingly, the junta has even obstructed clearly humanitarian efforts. Reports document frequent blockages of food supplies and targeted attacks on aid workers. This deliberate strategy of withholding assistance has exacerbated the situation, plunging the country further into crisis.
The Human Toll
The human toll is staggering, with long-term consequences that threaten the health and future of the nation. Children are bearing the brunt of this catastrophe, with nearly one-third of children under 5 experiencing stunted growth due to chronic malnutrition. Besides the suffering they experience now, this also has long-term repercussions for their physical and cognitive development. Pregnant and nursing mothers are particularly vulnerable, often being the last to eat in households with limited food supplies. Their malnutrition increases the risk of childbirth complications and poor health outcomes for both mothers and their children.
Displaced persons, many living in overcrowded camps, face similar struggles with inadequate access to food, clean water, and health care. Ethnic minority groups, historically marginalized and now disproportionately affected, are often trapped in conflict zones where military blockades make farming and trade nearly impossible.
Myanmar’s Monasteries Also Suffer
Among those equally affected are Myanmar’s monastics, who traditionally rely on alms from laypeople for their sustenance. The economic crisis and displacement caused by military aggression have significantly impacted the ability of people to offer alms, leaving many monks and nuns without sufficient food. Monasteries and nunneries that once opened their gates to welcome scores of daily donors have reported receiving only a few visits in the course of a single month. As one senior nun told a Better Burma aid volunteer delivering donated rice to her community, “Before the coup, donors reserved specific dates to provide food for the entire nunnery. Now, those who could previously offer a teacup of rice every 15 days can only give a tablespoon, and many have stopped donating altogether.”
However, food insecurity is not the only repercussion of the country’s crisis on the monastic community. Many monasteries and nunneries have been forced to become shelters for displaced people from conflict zones, including an alarming increase in orphans. The ongoing violence has even forced some monastics to flee their monasteries altogether, abandoning their religious routines as they seek safety. Finally, the junta has targeted monks who don’t support their rule, with many being detained or worse, further disrupting the monastic community’s essential, societal role.
The military’s repressive tactics against the Sangha echo their assault on the country at large. Activists, journalists, and community leaders have faced arrests, torture, and execution in an attempt to silence opposition. Despite widespread international condemnation, the regime engaged in high-profile executions, such as those of democracy advocates Ko Jimmy and Phyo Zeya Thaw, which further illustrate the regime’s brutality. This atmosphere of fear has hampered efforts to organize relief and resistance, compounding the nation’s humanitarian crisis. Such repression not only affects individuals but also hinders broader societal efforts to combat the growing food crisis and promote stability.
The impacts of Myanmar’s crisis have rippled far beyond its borders. Refugees fleeing violence have placed immense pressure on neighboring countries, including Thailand, India, and Bangladesh, causing regional instability. Even on a global scale, the junta’s actions undermine international norms and embolden other authoritarian regimes. These wide-reaching effects highlight the importance of a coordinated international response to address the root causes of the crisis.
Glimmers of Hope
Amid these grim circumstances, the unwavering resilience of Myanmar’s people offers a glimmer of hope and a foundation for recovery. Grassroots organizations, often operating at great personal risk, continue to deliver food, shelter, and support to those in need. These groups have an intimate understanding of local challenges and are essential to mitigating the crisis. To bolster these efforts, international allies can provide direct funding to local organizations, invest in sustainable agricultural programs to revitalize farming communities, and support inclusive governance that prioritizes human rights and citizen well-being.
In one example of this kind of coordination, Buddhist Global Relief has been partnering with Better Burma in the latter’s humanitarian aid efforts. Among the many initiatives that BGR’s funds have supported, one has been helping Mogok-based monks and novices reestablish themselves in Mandalay, after they had to abandon their monastery when the conflict arrived at their doorstep, with bombs destroying their Dhamma Hall. Again, in Kyauske, BGR’s donations supported recovery assistance for over a hundred families that had lost everything in catastrophic flooding earlier this year. Besides addressing immediate needs, these collective efforts—along with many others—help sustain the Myanmar people’s hope for a brighter future amid the present darkness.
While the road ahead remains daunting, collective efforts can alleviate hunger and restore hope for millions in Myanmar. By addressing immediate needs and laying the groundwork for long-term solutions, the international community can stand in solidarity with the people of Myanmar in their fight for survival and dignity.
Joah McGee is the founder of Insight Myanmar Podcast and Better Burma nonprofit, two intertwined initiatives dedicated to addressing Myanmar’s ongoing struggles. Through the podcast, he amplifies the voices of those impacted by conflict and repression, while Better Burma focuses on delivering life-saving humanitarian aid to vulnerable communities, uniting advocacy and direct action to drive awareness and meaningful change.
