Civil War and Disasters

Myanmar Spring Chronicle – February 3 Perspective

MoeMaKa, February 4, 2025

Civil War and Disasters

According to Buddhist teachings, there are three major disasters:

  1. Sattaṭṭhantaraka (Weapon Disaster) – Death and destruction caused by weapons.
  2. Rogantaraka (Epidemic Disaster) – Death caused by infectious diseases.
  3. Dubbhikkhantaraka (Famine Disaster) – Death due to food and water shortages.

In recent history, the COVID-19 pandemic was recognized as a global-scale disaster. The World Health Organization (WHO) classified it as a pandemic, which lasted for years. Myanmar, like many other countries, could not escape its impact. By mid-2021, tens of thousands had died due to COVID-19, with over 30,000 deaths recorded in just July, August, and September. Although precise data collection was challenging, the scale of the disaster was evident.

From the COVID-19 Pandemic to the Civil War

After Myanmar passed its worst period of COVID-19 in 2021, it plunged into a civil war, leading to deaths and destruction caused by weapons. Since the military coup in February 2021, armed conflicts have intensified across the country. Four years later, Myanmar is divided into areas experiencing direct warfare and those indirectly affected by its consequences.

The ongoing conflicts are fueled by two main factors:

  • The struggle to overthrow the military dictatorship.
  • Ethnic armed groups fighting for national liberation.

Myanmar’s civil war is one of the longest-running in the world, lasting over 70 years. However, after the 2021 coup, it has become the most widespread and intense. According to data from the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners (AAPP), around 6,800 civilians have been killed by military junta forces. This figure does not include:

  • Deaths of armed personnel from both sides.
  • Executions of suspected informants by resistance forces.
  • Killings of village heads, local administrators, and suspected collaborators.

Estimates suggest that civilian deaths could range between 8,000 and 10,000, while the number of deaths among combatants may be even higher.

Health and Humanitarian Crises Amid the War

The war has forced many people to flee, leading to severe humanitarian conditions, including:

  • Poor sanitation and lack of healthcare in refugee camps.
  • Malnutrition due to food shortages.
  • Outbreaks of diseases resulting in preventable deaths.

In recent news, there have been reports of widespread skin infections in refugee camps in southern Rakhine State. Children are particularly affected, with severe rashes on their feet, bodies, and heads. While the ongoing war is the main cause of displacement, the military junta’s blockade of food, fuel, and medicine has worsened the humanitarian crisis.

The situation has been compared to the Japanese occupation during World War II, when widespread scabies and skin diseases were prevalent due to lack of medical supplies. This modern-day crisis is now considered a crime against humanity.

The Looming Threat of Famine

While Myanmar has not yet experienced a full-scale famine, prolonged conflict has:

  • Disrupted agriculture and trade.
  • Hindered food production and distribution.

If the situation persists for years, famine could become an imminent threat. Myanmar, a country that has never faced large-scale starvation before, may eventually see deaths due to hunger if the crisis continues.

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