EU approves over €19 million in humanitarian aid for Myanmar in 2024

As conflict continues in most parts of Myanmar, the Commission has allocated over €19 million in humanitarian aid to address the most urgent needs of the population. This funding will support the large number of internally displaced people, which reached 2.6 million last year, as well as others affected by the ongoing fighting.

The main EU aid priorities will be food assistance, emergency shelter and access to healthcare, water and sanitation, as well as protection activities such as mine risk education.

Out of the total allocation, €2 million is for education in emergencies. About 1/3 of school-aged children in the country don’t currently have access to education, with many schools closed or inaccessible due to the conflict.

All EU humanitarian funding is channelled via partner organisations such as international NGOs and UN agencies. In Myanmar, the EU’s partners work with over a hundred of local civil society organisations to deliver aid across the country.

Commissioner for Crisis Management, Janez Lenarčič said: “The crisis in Myanmar remains one of the worst in the world and the EU will continue to help the country’s population by providing humanitarian assistance. This €19 million will provide life-saving aid to the most vulnerable people, offering them access to food assistance, healthcare and education. Once again, we remind all parties of the need to respect humanitarian law and facilitate the delivery of aid across the country.”

Background

In Myanmar, humanitarian needs have risen dramatically since the military takeover 3 years ago. Severe violations of human rights and International Humanitarian Law are being reported on a regular basis. Last autumn saw an escalation in conflict, which brought high intensity fighting to much of the country.

Around 18.6 million people, 1/3 of the population, are estimated to need humanitarian assistance. The UN has described Myanmar as a global hunger hotspot, with 1/4 of the population facing food insecurity.

Health needs are also on the rise, as the conflict has severely disrupted access to healthcare. The increasing number of displaced people often lack shelter as well as access to water and sanitation. 

Myanmar is also one of the world’s most disaster-prone countries, exposed to multiple hazards such as floods, cyclones and earthquakes. Last May, when the devastating Cyclone Mocha slammed into Myanmar’s coastline, the EU quickly mobilised €2 million in immediate assistance to people affected by the disaster.

This €19.2 million initial humanitarian allocation for Myanmar in 2024 is the highest initial allocation for the country since the EU began providing humanitarian assistance. Last year’s initial allocation was €17.3 million, with total financing at the end of the year reaching almost €33 million.