The United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund says the number of displaced people in Myanmar has risen to more than 1.5 million in the last two years. (Anadolu)
The Philippines has renewed its call for urgent humanitarian assistance in Myanmar as the Southeast Asian nation’s civil war entered its fifth year in 2026, underscoring the worsening humanitarian crisis brought on by prolonged conflict.
Foreign Affairs Secretary Ma. Theresa Lazaro, who currently serves as the special envoy of the 2026 Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) chair on Myanmar, briefed the United Nations Security Council in New York on the deteriorating conditions in the country and the region’s ongoing efforts to push forward a peaceful resolution.
Lazaro emphasized ASEAN’s commitment to implementing the bloc’s Five-Point Consensus (5PC), the framework adopted to help address the political and humanitarian crisis following Myanmar’s military takeover in 2021.
“I highlighted ASEAN efforts to advance the Five-Point Consensus (5PC), stressed the urgency of delivering humanitarian assistance, and called for renewed cooperation in supporting a Myanmar-led and Myanmar-owned pathway to peace,” Lazaro said in a post on X.
Myanmar has been engulfed in turmoil since the military seized power in February 2021, an event that triggered nationwide protests, armed resistance, and a deepening humanitarian emergency. The ongoing conflict has displaced millions of civilians while severely damaging the country’s already fragile economy and public services.
Humanitarian access has become increasingly difficult as violence intensifies across multiple regions. In its February situation report, the World Health Organization warned that aid delivery has been “increasingly blocked,” largely due to escalating armed confrontations that prevent relief workers from reaching affected communities.
The conflict has been particularly severe in the states of Chin and Rakhine, as well as the Sagaing region, where persistent fighting has disrupted health services and forced both patients and medical personnel to abandon or avoid healthcare facilities.
Human rights monitors say the toll on civilians continues to climb. Data from the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners (AAPP) shows that at least 30,448 pro-democracy activists and civilians have been arrested since the military coup.
Of those detained, 22,797 remain in custody, while 129 individuals are currently facing the death penalty. The AAPP also reported that at least 7,777 people have been confirmed killed since the coup, with an additional 4,500 deaths still under verification.
As the crisis drags on, the Philippines reiterated the need for stronger international cooperation to ensure humanitarian aid reaches those