Statement of the outgoing Humanitarian Coordinator a.i. for Myanmar, Mr. Marcoluigi Corsi (20 June 2025)

Myanmar’s resilience is breaking: The time for action is now

In the 1.5 years I have served as the Humanitarian Coordinator a.i. for Myanmar, I have witnessed the extraordinary strength of communities throughout the country. I have seen countless men, women and children face immense hardship with a persistent hope for a better future. Their resilience has been a beacon of courage, a testament to their deep-rooted strength.

Yet, resilience is not infinite. As conflict escalates, disasters recur, and economic collapse deepens, the weight on Myanmar’s people grows heavier each day. I have watched more and more families be forced into survival mode—struggling not just for a better future, but for the ability to endure the present.

For so long, we have marveled at the perseverance of Myanmar’s people. But today, as I conclude my tenure, I must caution that without immediate action, this resilience will break. The world cannot stand by as their hope is eroded and suffering intensifies.

Part of this suffering is driven by a conflict that has relentlessly expanded since the military takeover in 2021, in which civilians are paying the highest price. Almost daily, I receive harrowing reports of civilians killed, injured or displaced—lives shattered by violence they did not choose.

During my time in this role, I have been deeply concerned by the ongoing security and protection risks facing civilians in Myanmar, especially in conflict- and disaster-affected areas. Reports of rising civilian casualties are alarming—largely resulting from failures to distinguish between combatants and non-combatants. I call on all parties to the conflict to respect and uphold International Humanitarian Law and International Human Rights Law, particularly the obligation to protect civilians by clearly distinguishing them from military targets.

Protection goes beyond the absence of violence—it is also about access to aid. Safe and unimpeded access to humanitarian assistance is a fundamental human right – to deny this is an attack on the most vulnerable people. Even in the most hard-to-reach areas in Myanmar, humanitarians must have free passage to deliver timely assistance to people in need. Yet, every day, we face barriers that prevent or delay assistance from reaching those who need it most. I call on all parties to ensure unrestricted humanitarian access—without conditions, without delays.

Despite the formidable challenges in Myanmar, I leave with profound gratitude for the unwavering commitment of the UN and our many partners to deliver aid. I thank all humanitarian and development partners who continue to work tirelessly and under difficult conditions. Aid workers often face serious threats to their safety—violence, targeted attacks, and hazardous working conditions. Protecting them is essential for delivering aid to those most in need. Amid these and other difficulties, together we have reached millions of people with food, shelter, clean water, medical support and other life-saving aid. But none of it would be possible without the remarkable courage and dedication of local organizations on the frontlines.

Our collective efforts are shown in the wake of the devastating earthquakes that struck Myanmar on 28 March. Even before this disaster, 19.9 million people were estimated to need humanitarian assistance across the country, and the earthquakes pushed another 2 million people into new and urgent need. Homes, schools, hospitals and other vital infrastructure were reduced to rubble. The UN, NGOs and local partners mobilized rapidly to respond, reaching the most affected areas with critical aid.

As the earthquake response now shifts from relief to recovery, the road ahead demands sustained support. Early recovery efforts are focused on restoring basic services for communities, rebuilding livelihoods, and strengthening local solutions. These efforts will only succeed if they are adequately funded.

The dangerously low funding for response efforts in Myanmar remains our greatest challenge. Of the US$275 million requested for the earthquakes, only $100 million (a mere 36 per cent) has so far been disbursed. More concerning, almost halfway into the year, the 2025 Humanitarian Needs and Response Plan, which guides the countrywide response, is just under 12 per cent funded—with only $134 million of the $1.1 billion requested.

Without urgent funding, millions will be left without the aid they desperately need. Partners already are unable to provide the necessary depth, frequency and quality of assistance, putting more and more lives at risk. As the monsoon season sets in the risks of flooding, disease and displacement are quickly rising, making the additional and quick disbursement of resources crucial.

I leave Myanmar deeply moved by the courage and determination of its people. But resilience alone cannot bring back what has been lost—it cannot replace safety, food, medical care, shelter, livelihoods and everything else stolen by conflict and disaster. Hope and promises are not enough. The people of Myanmar need action. To those who have pledged to stand with them, the time to act is now—decisively and urgently. Their survival depends on it.

Christina Powell

OCHA

Humanitarian Affairs Officer

powell4@un.org