Myanmar Humanitarian Fund provides essential support to landmine survivors

Myanmar | 2025 | CBPF

Myanmar, Pekon. Banyar* was 25 when he lost a leg in a landmine explosion. Dependent on crutches to get around, he felt cut off from daily life.

In Myanmar, explosive ordnance continue to severely harm civilians as they go about their daily lives. In 2024, 1,082 casualties were reported across the country - 165 of whom died. In addition, contaminated land is difficult or impossible to farm, making it even harder to earn a living.

With funding from the Myanmar Humanitarian Fund (MHF), a UN-managed pooled fund for humanitarian relief, a non-governmental organization (NGO) was able to provide Banyar with a prosthetic leg. This much-needed assistance helped restore not only his physical mobility but also his confidence.

He regained a sense of independence and later joined the same organization that helped him as a trainee to assist with mine-risk education - helping prevent further harm.

“I went from feeling useless to realizing I could work, learn and belong,” he said. “With a supportive community around you, there’s no need to lose hope. I’m very thankful to those who helped me walk again.”

“When we first met him, he was determined, but obviously limited by his crutches,” says a colleague of Banyar who met him before the prosthesis: “Now, he is working with confidence and helping others in similar situations. His story is a reminder of the broader impact our support can have – beyond just the medical needs.”

Support from the MHF has enabled humanitarian organizations in Myanmar to provide mine risk education and victim assistance including psychosocial support, prostheses, and livelihoods assistance to people in conflict-affected communities. But as funding gaps widen, there is growing concern that many of these vital activities may be scaled back.

In this difficult funding environment, the MHF continues to make much-needed resources available to help make communities safer and provide life-changing support to explosive ordnance survivors.

*The name has been changed.
Posted May 2025.
An original story from OCHA
More information on the Myanmar Humanitarian Fund

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