© VPP/D. Fernandez Distribution of UN humanitarian aid in Myanmar. Reduction in humanitarian aid puts millions of Myanmar lives at risk Peace and Security
Declining international assistance is undermining efforts to protect civilians in Myanmar, where serious human rights abuses continue. This is stated in a new report from the UN Human Rights Office.
The report covers the period from August 2025 to the end of January 2026. It details serious human rights violations amid ongoing conflict-related violence, a lack of the rule of law and restrictions on humanitarian access.
At least 702 civilians were killed between August 2025 and January 2026, according to the report’s authors. Most of the casualties were reported in the central regions of the country and Rakhine State.
Fund shortage problem
The report highlights how civil society organizations and local governments are left to protect civilians on their own, rescuing people and maintaining access to basic services as military attacks continue. However, cuts and suspensions of international assistance threaten these mechanisms at a time when they are needed most. Thus, the most significant blow fell on ethnic media and organizations working in the interests of women. In addition, humanitarian programs, educational initiatives, and mental health projects have been cut due to lack of funds.
“In many areas, funding for local community protection initiatives has been the only support for people suffering from constant indiscriminate attacks by the military. The reduction of this assistance only worsens their situation,” said UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk. providing emergency medical services, operating early warning systems and coordinating humanitarian efforts, demonstrating flexibility and the ability to adapt to difficult conditions.
“Despite their fragility and limited resources, these mechanisms have demonstrated that even in extreme conditions it is possible to provide some protection to the population if trust, legitimacy and joint efforts are at the core of such work,” noted in the report.