The alert was issued amid reports of renewed airstrikes by military forces targeting a trading hub in the central Magway region. Media accounts indicate that over 25 people lost their lives, while 20 others sustained injuries. “The humanitarian landscape continues to deteriorate annually due to persistent conflict, repeated disasters, and ongoing economic downturn,” stated the UN’s humanitarian relief agency, OCHA, in a declaration on Monday. Although 6.3 million individuals received aid in 2025—1.7 million of whom were assisted following a significant earthquake in March—challenges related to access, dwindling funds, and insecurity are increasingly hindering humanitarian efforts to provide adequate support.
With over 3.6 million individuals estimated to be displaced across the country, humanitarian organizations in 2026 are prioritizing assistance for 2.6 million people in Myanmar facing the most critical needs. The 2026 Humanitarian Needs and Response Plan seeks $890 million to provide life-saving aid and protection services to 4.9 million individuals. OCHA cautioned that insufficient funding could lead to “forcing people into desperate situations… putting themselves in serious danger just to survive” if fundamental needs are not met.
Concerns are rising regarding a potential return to full-scale civil war in South Sudan as hostilities are expected to extend into the Akobo region. UN humanitarian officials in South Sudan have voiced serious worries about a directive from government forces instructing civilians and aid organizations to leave the town of Akobo, which is close to the Ethiopian border, in anticipation of military operations. Since violence escalated in December 2025 following opposition forces’ capture of government positions in Jonglei State, a significant number of civilians have sought refuge in Akobo County. The county currently shelters approximately 270,000 displaced individuals, with women and children constituting over half of this population, rendering it “a vital sanctuary for those fleeing conflict.”
Risk of a humanitarian disaster looms as the UN Humanitarian Country Team warned, “Any military actions in or around such a densely populated region would put civilians at severe risk and could trigger a devastating humanitarian crisis in Akobo County.” Aid organizations stressed that civilians should never be targeted or forcibly removed, urging all parties to fully comply with international humanitarian law. While humanitarian partners have recently increased life-saving support for displaced individuals and hosting communities, any disruptions in aid delivery could endanger thousands. “We call on all parties to avoid military actions in populated areas and to resolve their differences through dialogue. The people of South Sudan require peace,” the team emphasized.
In Afghanistan, women are reported to be nearly four times less likely than men to access formal justice systems, according to recent findings from the UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA). Only 14% of women indicated they had access to formal dispute-resolution services, in contrast to 53% of men. These findings illustrate a worsening situation for women and girls facing extensive restrictions imposed by the country’s de facto authorities. “When women are excluded from justice mechanisms, it jeopardizes their safety, independence, and their already limited chances to seek assistance outside their homes. This is particularly critical for women experiencing domestic violence,” remarked Susan Ferguson, the UN Women Special Representative for Afghanistan.
Additional strain stems from “Decree No. 12,” issued by the Taliban earlier this year, which criminalizes dissent against the authorities and allows for punishments that include imprisonment or corporal punishment. Participants in consultations urged the establishment of stronger institutional frameworks to secure women’s access to justice and to reinstate women-centered and women-led dispute resolution systems.
In the aftermath of cross-border confrontations between Pakistan and Afghanistan’s de facto authorities from the evening of February 26 to March 5, 2026, UNAMA confirmed that 56 civilians were killed and 129 injured due to indirect fire and aerial assaults. Women and children represented 55% of the casualties. UNAMA reiterated its appeal for all parties to take measures to prevent civilian harm and fulfill their obligations under international humanitarian law to protect civilians.
