The conflict in Myanmar has entered its sixth year, becoming among the top five countries with the most intense political violence in the world (ACLED Conflict Index). Active conflict continues across multiple fronts, marked by widespread violations of international humanitarian and human rights law, protracted displacement, economic decline, and natural disasters coverging and deepening humanitarian needs. Adding to the crisis, a powerful a 7.7 magnitude earthquake hit the country on 28 March 2025 dramatically intensifying the impacts of conflict and displacement. Notably, the earthquake impacted an area already hosting approximately 2.2 million of Myanmar's 3.7 million internally displaced persons, resulting in some 3,800 deaths, 5,100 injuries and causing widespread destruction of homes and infrastructure and placing additional strain on already overstretched response capacities. Floods in several states affected another one million people, killed some 500, displaced 80,000, and worsened outbreaks of cholera and denguei.
The elections held in December/January and its aftermath was marked by further intensification of hostilities, sustained repression, and efforts to further restrict political and civic space. Rather than serving as a catalyst for dialogue and a negotiated political settlement, the elections have been followed by a hardening of positions by conflict actors making it increasingly difficult to establish the conditions necessary for de-escalation and dialogue.
By the end of 2025, an estimated 21.9 million people in Myanmar were in need of humanitarian assistance, including 15.4 in need of protection among whom 6.9 million children. Internal displacement rose to roughly to 3.7 million among whom around 40% are children, with nearly 200,000 more having fled to neighboring countries since the 2021. Communities continue to face overlapping crises: conflict, displacement, movement and humanitarian access restrictions, food insecurity, inflation, livelihood collapse, and eroding access to essential services. Women, children, older persons, persons with disabilities, and other vulnerable groups continued to experience disproportionate impacts across all protection risks.
The protection risks requiring immediate attention in the period covered by this analysis are:
1. Attacks on civilians and civilians objects
2. Siege, movement restrictions denying access to services and humanitarian assistance
3. Children and family separation
4. Gender based violence (GBV)
5. Indiscriminate and widespread use of explosive hazards causing civilian harm, restricting safe movement and access to services and livelihoods.