The casualties of Myanmar's hidden war

Warning: This video contains footage of war, violence and serious injuries which some viewers might find distressing.  

5 mins read time

Sky News has produced a 41 minute report where they went inside Myanmar conflict areas for a month. It gives a harrowing insight into the reality of this unreported but ongoing conflict.​

Children on the Edge have been working with persecuted ethnic groups both inside Myanmar and on its borders since 2006. Currently working with the Rohingya refugee community and displaced Kachin people, we also support the Karenni people, under attack in Kayah State, 5,000 of whom were subject to government airstrikes in July 2023. 

A RAGING CIVIL WAR THAT REMAINS UNREPORTED

Characterised by unrest and conflict since 1948, Myanmar is currently being torn apart by a largely unreported civil war between the government and many of the ethnic people groups within the country.

Until 2011 the military junta was known for suppressing almost all dissent and stood accused of gross human rights abuse. After a spell of liberalisation and democratic rule, in 2017 an army operation carried out ‘a textbook example of ethnic cleansing’ on the Rohingya people in Rakhine State, then in 2021, the elected government was ousted in a military coup. 

Since the coup, the internal violent conflict has widened to include not just the Kachin people but also the Karen, Karenni, Shan and others.

Despite the extent of this war, ongoing atrocities remain largely unnoticed by the world’s media and governments.

SUPPORTING ETHNIC COMMUNITIES

Children on the Edge have long supported persecuted peoples from Myanmar, both inside the country and those who have fled across the borders. As the civil war has worsened since the coup, we have extended our current work with the Rohingya and Kachin people to Karenni peolple in Kayah State, who have been subject to airstrikes. In July, five bombs flattened a village, killing one man and injuring a further five civilians. 

Our support here includes the provision of emergency assistance to Karenni groups through a local partner. The situation remains volatile and a community of 5,000 internally displaced people, including children, are currently dealing with the aftermath these attacks. 

Amid the destruction, procurement of relief supplies and training of staff to set up safe ‘Child Friendly Spaces’ for the affected children is ongoing. Our partners are determined to continue to ensure aid to these areas that are most on the 'edge’.

Specific details about this work needs to remain undisclosed, to ensure the safety of those involved but, as the Sky news report highlighted, the current message from the people of Myanmar is “please don’t look away”.

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