By Ko Myo / MPA
The United Nations humanitarian agency (UNOCHA) has announced plans to provide assistance to approximately two-thirds of all townships across Myanmar this year, focusing on regions devastated by conflict and natural disasters.
Under the 2026 Humanitarian Needs and Response Plan, the agency aims to scale up its reach in a country where displacement is soaring. However, the announcement comes amid growing frustration from those on the ground who say aid is failing to reach the most vulnerable.
A member of a People’s Defence Force (PDF) based in Khin-U Township told MPA that while they hear reports of UN assistance, it rarely translates into tangible support for local communities. “People in Khin-U are facing all kinds of hardships. But we haven’t even received a single tin of rice from the UN,” the fighter said.
UNOCHA estimates that approximately 3.6 million people are currently displaced within Myanmar. To address the crisis, the agency has set a funding target of $890m (USD) to assist 4.9 million people identified as being in urgent need. This is out of a total 16.2 million people estimated to require some form of humanitarian help across the country.
The Danish Embassy in Myanmar recently announced a contribution of €2.9m to the Myanmar Humanitarian Fund (MHF) for the 2025-2026 period. The funds are intended to be channeled through local partners to provide timely assistance to those displaced by conflict and natural disasters.
Despite the influx of international funding, critics argue that the UN’s delivery mechanisms lack transparency.
“We should be grateful for international support that bypasses military channels,” a political analyst told MPA. “However, the UN agencies in Myanmar are very weak in reporting exactly who they have helped and where. This lack of transparency is causing a breakdown in public trust.”
The analyst added that UN agencies must find more effective ways to operate within territories controlled by revolutionary forces to ensure aid reaches those in the heart of the conflict zones.
