UN launches $275M appeal for Myanmar earthquake victims as needs escalate

In a significant humanitarian response, the United Nations and its partners have launched a $275 million appeal to assist 1.1 million people in Myanmar following two devastating earthquakes that have left 2 million individuals in critical need of aid. This initiative is part of the 2025 humanitarian needs and response plan, addressing the urgent requirements of a population already facing severe challenges, with nearly 20 million people estimated to need assistance prior to the earthquakes.

The UN Central Emergency Fund has allocated an additional $5 million to bolster earthquake response efforts, complementing earlier funding. However, the situation remains dire as military operations continue in Myanmar, hindering the delivery of essential humanitarian aid. UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Turk has called for an immediate cessation of military actions to ensure that aid reaches those in need.

Shifting focus to the Occupied Palestinian Territory, the humanitarian crisis in Gaza is escalating. Recent displacement orders from Israeli authorities have affected vast areas, leaving over two-thirds of the Gaza Strip under active displacement or designated as no-go zones. This has severely restricted the living space for Palestinians, with overcrowded shelters and dwindling resources exacerbating the already critical conditions. The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) has reported that essential supplies, including food and medical resources, have been blocked from entering Gaza for 40 days, leading to a humanitarian catastrophe.

In the West Bank, violence continues to escalate, with reports of Israeli forces killing nine Palestinians, including two children, and demolishing over a hundred structures due to permit issues. This has resulted in the displacement of hundreds, primarily affecting children.

Meanwhile, in Syria, the UN Refugee Agency has noted that approximately 400,000 Syrians have returned from neighboring countries since the fall of Bashar al-Assad, alongside over 1 million internally displaced individuals returning within Syria. However, for these returns to be sustainable, ongoing support for shelter, livelihoods, and legal assistance is crucial.

The discussions from the meeting underscore the urgent need for international cooperation and action to address these pressing humanitarian crises across Myanmar, Gaza, the West Bank, and Syria.