It’s been almost four years since conflict broke out in Myanmar following a military coup that led to the imprisonment of democratically elected government officials and citizens who spoke out. Armed ethnic groups are still actively opposing the military-controlled government, known as the State Administration Council, or SAC, in localized violent confrontations throughout the Southeast Asian country. Over 2.6 million people have been displaced as of the end of 2023 due to conflict and violence, and vital infrastructure such as hospitals and schools has been damaged.
At the same time, located in the most disaster-prone region in the world, Myanmar citizens simultaneously have to contend with floods and storms that also kill, destroy, and damage. A further 235,000 people were displaced by disasters as of 2023.
It’s against this backdrop that 18.6 million people, a third of the population, are in need of humanitarian assistance. Yet fragile relationships with the military authorities mean the operating context for development and aid organizations is particularly difficult. With this in mind, hiring organizations require specific skills and experience to navigate the fragile context.