Myanmar

In 2025, we saw the gap between people’s needs and our ability to respond grow, as increasing access restrictions – including bureaucratic and administrative measures that limited our ability to travel and move supplies – impeded our medical humanitarian action. Wherever possible, MSF teams provided lifesaving care to communities through regular and emergency programmes.

As well as maintaining our support to the national AIDS and tuberculosis (TB) programmes in Kachin state, northern Shan state, and Yangon region, we provided treatment for sexual and gender-based violence, general healthcare, sexual and reproductive health services, and emergency referrals to specialist facilities across our projects.

In 2025, enhanced infection prevention and control (IPC) measures were introduced in national TB programme clinics across Yangon region. MSF’s IPC support began in February at Insein Union TB institute, later expanding to two more facilities, and included carrying out renovations to infrastructure, donating materials, and providing training and monitoring.

We also assisted communities affected by conflict between the Myanmar Armed Forces and different ethnic and resistance groups. In Kachin, we distributed hygiene kits to displaced families in areas that were safely accessible to us. In Rakhine state, Rohingya people continued to attempt journeys by sea, in hope of escaping the systemic persecution the minority group faces in Myanmar, by reaching neighbouring countries, such as Bangladesh and Malaysia. When boats are intercepted by the Myanmar Navy, people aboard, including children, may be detained. We provided 30 days’ worth of food to children after they were released.

When a 7.7 magnitude earthquake struck Myanmar in March, MSF delivered emergency assistance in the most heavily affected areas, including Mandalay, Sagaing city and Nyaung Shwe in southern Shan state. We focused on distributing relief items and shelter kits, and improving water and sanitation conditions by drilling boreholes, constructing a pipeline, and installing water treatment systems.  

In Dawei, Tanintharyi region, we were forced to suspend and eventually close a project due to high levels of insecurity, ending 20 years of essential healthcare services.