27 April 2026 By Ko Myo
INCHEON, South Korea — Myanmar nationals living in South Korea have successfully raised more than 270 million Kyats (approximately $80,000) for displaced civilians in their homeland during a special charity event marking the traditional Thingyan Water Festival.
The “Humanitarian Aid Thingyan 2026,” held on 12 April at Beun-Su Park in Incheon, was a collaborative effort by the Myanmar Federal Democracy Mission Coalition (MFDMC) and the Anti-Coup Committee (Korea). Organisers confirmed that the entire net profit has been donated to the National Unity Government’s (NUG) Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Disaster Management to support those fleeing the ongoing conflict in Myanmar.
U Kyaw San, Secretary of the MFDMC, told MPA that the funds are specifically designated for some of the hardest-hit regions in central Myanmar. “The money is being sent to rebuild hospitals and clinics in Sagaing, Magway, and Mandalay that were torched by military columns. It will also provide essential food aid for internally displaced persons (IDPs) currently hiding in the jungle,” he explained.
Approximately 250 million Kyats have already been distributed to frontline humanitarian projects, with the remaining funds earmarked for several remote areas currently facing acute shortages.
The festival featured performances by popular singer L Lun War, traditional Thingyan dance troupes, and K-pop dancers, drawing a large crowd of the Myanmar diaspora. Tickets were sold for 30,000 Won each, and 26 types of traditional Myanmar food were donated by local businesses and organisations to bolster the fundraising effort.
South Korea has long been a stronghold for the Myanmar resistance movement. The MFDMC, a coalition of 22 support groups, and the Anti-Coup Committee—well-known for its “One Day Challenge” campaign where workers donate a day’s wages—collectively contribute roughly 300 million Kyats every month to support the Spring Revolution.
The donation comes at a critical time as the military junta intensifies its “scorched earth” campaign in central Myanmar. Human rights monitors have reported a surge in the deliberate burning of civilian infrastructure, including medical facilities and schools.
For the donors in South Korea, the festival was more than a celebration of the new year; it was a lifeline for millions back home. As the civil war continues to displace thousands more every week, the sustained financial support from the diaspora remains one of the few reliable sources of aid reaching those in resistance-held and conflict-affected territories.
