Decline in donor contributions leads to shortages in refugee camps

According to officials from organizations assisting war refugees in southern Myanmar, displaced persons’ camps are facing increasing difficulties in receiving aid due to a significant decline in donor contributions.

Over the past three months, in the Mon, Karen, and Tanintharyi regions, the military junta’s forces have intensified airstrikes, arson attacks, mortar shelling, and ground offensives, resulting in the destruction of homes and loss of civilian lives.

As the number of displaced persons continues to rise, the need for food, clean water, and medicine has grown. However, humanitarian organizations are struggling to meet these demands, said a female official from the Southern Myanmar Humanitarian Network.

“The elderly, pregnant women, and children are suffering from exhaustion and poor living conditions. Donations from supporters have dropped compared to before. The junta’s ground offensives, airstrikes, mortar shelling, and drone attacks have caused severe damage to civilians’ lives and homes. Over time, donors have become fatigued, and since the crisis covers the entire country, support has slowed down,” she said.

The situation worsened after United Nations agencies assisting the displaced suspended their operations. Currently, only a few international donor organizations ]continue to provide support.