Myanmar crisis response
Above: A teenager and her mother, both living with disabilities, outside their shelter in a Myanmar IDP camp. Image: Shin Thandar, Lutheran World Federation
Myanmar is enduring a deepening humanitarian crisis that has spiralled since the military takeover in February 2021, with the civilian population’s coping capacities stretched to the limit.
There are 18.6 million people in humanitarian need in Myanmar, a third of the country’s population, including over 3.4 million people internally displaced. Conflict continues to spread, further disrupting humanitarian access, with widespread reports of violations of international humanitarian law. People face dire living conditions and major protection risks, including arbitrary arrest and detention; destruction of civilian property and infrastructure; airstrikes and shelling; forced recruitment, including of children; the use of human shields; and civilian casualties. Food insecurity is increasing. Education reach is falling. Health services are in disarray. Security-related movement restrictions, including roadblocks and check points, hinder freedom of movement and access to basic services as well as distribution of humanitarian relief.
Australia is one of the largest donors to the response in Myanmar, which has broader regional stability and human displacement risks.
The Australian Government has provided AUD 9 million to the Australian Humanitarian Partnership (AHP) to respond to the humanitarian situation in Myanmar, with a focus on delivering to underserviced people in need in areas outside of military control.
The AHP Response
A 12-month AHP response will run until November 2025 and provide humanitarian assistance to vulnerable communities, with an emphasis on areas outside of regime control.
Three consortia of AHP partners will respond.
Oxfam and World Vision will respond in Kachin, Rakhine, Shan and Chin states working with a range of local partners: Bridging Rural Integrated Development and Grassroots Empowerment (BRIDGE); Phyu Sin Saydanar Action Group; Mork Kon Kham; Nump Khone Tai; Alin Bhamo; Grip Hands Organisation; and Myanmar Baptist Convention.
Activities will focus on basic needs, such as water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH), protection and emergency healthcare; improved access to education, psychosocial support and emergency food security and livelihood skills; and supporting inclusive, coordinated and locally-led humanitarian action. The consortium will work across 80 villages and 27 camps for Internally Displaced People (IDPs).
Save the Children and CARE will work together with a range of local partners to support crisis-affected communities in Northern Shan, Rakhine, Sagaing and Magway with life-saving assistance, protection, education and health services.
Local partners include Gathering House Organisation, Ar Yone Oo Social Development Association, Kanma Youth Development Organisation, Green Life Alliance for Development and Youth Capacity Building Centre. Activities will include multi-purpose cash assistance with cash-top ups for people with disabilities to meet their mobility needs, child protection and gender-based violence case management services, mental health support, education in emergencies and essential healthcare.
Plan International and CAN DO will work with in-country partners such as ADRA Myanmar, Disability Development Initiative and Karuna Mission Social Solidarity to support basic needs, protection, health and WASH.
Working across Kachin, Chin, Magway and Sagaing, the consortium will deliver multipurpose cash assistance, improve access to safe WASH facilities, train community-based protection workers and deliver services and education, and support the delivery of essential health services through mobile clinics. The longer-term inclusion of children with disabilities or from minority groups in education is also a key outcome for this consortium.