The United Nations reports that intense fighting in Myanmar’s northern Shan providence continues and has now extended to the north-west of the country. Within two weeks, some 90,000 people have been displaced in northern Shan and the region of Sagaing. In its latest situation report released Friday, the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said a combination of “active conflict, monsoon floods, and access barriers” is worsening the humanitarian situation facing vulnerable communities nationwide.
A new front of conflict has intensified in northern Shan where fighting between Ethnic Armed Organizations (EAOs) and the Myanmar Armed Forces (MAF) has displaced tens of thousands of people since 26 October. The clashes erupted after a sudden coordinated attack by a trio of ethnic minority-led rebel groups along the China-Myanmar border.
The offensive, referred to as "Operation 1027" for the date of its onset, was launched in northern Shan on October 27 by the Three Brotherhood Alliance — comprising the Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army (MNDAA), the Ta’ang National Liberation Army (TNLA) and the Arakan Army (AA). It has reportedly resulted in the takeover of numerous military posts, control of major roads and the surrender of over 100 soldiers.
On November 1, junta spokesman Zaw Min Tun conceded that rebels had taken full control of Chinshwehaw, a key town on the border with the country’s largest trade partner, China. In a statement, the spokesman said it was now empty of all regime officials, police and soldiers. Combined, rebel groups can now deny the junta virtually all meaningful border access to its largest trade partner China.
OCHA reported Friday that armed conflict and hostilities, including artillery shelling and airstrikes, are continuing in at least 9 out of 22 townships in northern Shan. The clashes appear to have escalated following the coordinated armed attack on the Myanmar Armed Forces and police checkpoints by the Three Brotherhood Alliance.
The UN humanitarian office said essential routes within northern Shan are being obstructed by checkpoints operated by both sides. Mobile phone and internet services are not available or are very limited in several townships; the main airport has been closed since the escalation of the fighting.
“Provision of life-saving assistance to affected civilians — including cash, food and essential relief items — continues wherever possible. We estimate that one-third of people in need have been reached with some form of assistance so far,” said Stéphane Dujarric, the Spokesman for the UN Secretary-General, on Friday during his regular press briefing in New York.
OCHA noted with ongoing armed conflict, insecurity and weak communications, humanitarian partners were facing difficulties in accessing affected areas to conduct detailed assessments, although local partner organizations were able to obtain basic information.
"$1 million from the Myanmar Humanitarian Response Fund will be disbursed to respond to emerging needs in northern Shan providence. This support, however, is insufficient to meet the surge in needs," the UN spokesperson added.
"Local and international humanitarian partners remain committed to staying and delivering despite underfunding and heavy access constraints. The humanitarian community in Myanmar urges all parties to the conflict to adhere to international humanitarian law, safeguarding the lives and well-being of civilians and of course the aid workers who are trying to assist the civilians," Dujarric said.
While immediate additional financial assistance and the easing of access restrictions are essential for aid agencies to address urgent needs, the combined US$887 million Humanitarian Response Plan (HRP) and Cyclone Mocha Flash Appeals remain critically underfunded, with only 28 percent of the required funding received.
The United Nations estimates that 17.6 million people in Myanmar are in need of humanitarian assistance and protection this year, an increase of more than 3 million compared to 2022. Among the population requiring humanitarian aid are some 5.8 million children.
Myanmar faces multiple overlapping humanitarian needs caused by genocide, persecution, protracted armed conflicts, intercommunal violence and natural disasters. Humanitarian needs in Myanmar have continued to grow due to ongoing armed violence and political unrest since the military coup in February 2021.
Heavy armed clashes, including airstrikes, artillery fire and ambushes, across Myanmar continue to endanger the lives, safety, and health of civilians. Approximately 77,000 civilian structures, including homes, clinics, schools and places of worship, have been reportedly burned or destroyed over the past two and half years.
More than 1.7 million people have been forced from their homes due to violence and insecurity since the 2021 military takeover. This is in addition to more than 300,000 people who were displaced due to conflict prior to February 2021. At least 2 million people are now internally displaced nationwide - many of them multiple times - and remain in urgent need of adequate shelter, food, basic services for their survival and protection.
Myanmar is also one of the most vulnerable countries in South East Asia to natural disasters, facing numerous hazards such as floods, cyclones, and earthquakes. On May 14, 2023, Tropical Cyclone Mocha - one of the most powerful storms in decades - hit western and northern Myanmar and southeastern Bangladesh.
OCHA reported Friday that armed conflict has also escalated in Kachin province, resulting in displacement and heavy civilian casualties, including among IDPs. At the same time, relentless monsoon floods, especially in the Southeast of Myanmar, have caused severe economic and agricultural losses, exacerbating an already critical humanitarian situation as a result of conflict.
Meanwhile, administrative and physical restrictions are amplifying suffering in Myanmar by delaying or forcing the cancellation of aid deliveries. Humanitarian organizations continue to face access constraints across the country, mainly due to ongoing military operations, administrative restrictions, including refusal of travel authorizations, as well as physical constraints caused by the Monsoon.
Further information
Full text: Myanmar Humanitarian Update No. 34, 10 November 2023, UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, report, released November 10, 2023
https://reliefweb.int/report/myanmar/myanmar-humanitarian-update-no-34-10-november-2023