01/05/2024 Myanmar (International Christian Concern) — The U.N. recently reported that more than six million children are facing major food shortages as the Myanmar war rages on from late 2023 into 2024.
The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs estimates that the food and humanitarian needs for the Burmese is over 19 times greater than before the 2021 military coup that overthrew the new democratically elected government. That means over 18 million people, or one-third of Myanmar’s population, is in desperate need for humanitarian help as the war between the Tatmadaw and ethnic militias and pro-democracy forces spreads and escalates across the country. This includes over 6 million Burmese children.
The U.N. and most other commentators predict this war will escalate in 2024. China and other international actors have tried to push for and broker peace in this conflict in recent months. But as the war progresses, the Burmese health system is strained, food shortages spread and more than two million people are displaced because of the fighting.
Since the conflict broke out, International Christian Concern (ICC) has been discussing support measures with other local partners with a specific focus on Christians in internally displaced persons (IDP) camps and supporting them with food and other necessities.
