by Hafizur Rahman
Myanmar | January 03, 2026
More than 3.6 million people across Myanmar have been forced to flee their homes since the military seized power in 2021, according to figures released by the National Unity Government.
In a statement issued on January 1, the NUG’s Ministry of Human Rights said the number of displaced people continues to rise due to ongoing fighting, airstrikes, and military operations across the country. The figure aligns with earlier data published by the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, which reported a similar displacement number in November last year.
According to the NUG, civilians are being forced to flee because of repeated air attacks, artillery shelling, village raids, and ground operations carried out by the military. Many families escape with little warning, leaving behind homes, farmland, and livelihoods, often carrying only what they can manage by hand.
People living in rural and border areas have faced widespread human rights abuses, including killings, arbitrary arrests, torture, and the burning of homes. Entire villages have been partially or completely destroyed, pushing residents to seek safety in forests, remote areas, or makeshift shelters.
The NUG’s Ministry of Defence reported that between February 1, 2021, and December 31, 2025, the military committed more than 23,000 human rights violations nationwide. Sagaing Region has been the most affected, with over 5,000 reported cases. Mandalay Region and Magway Region were listed as the second and third most affected areas.
The NUG said it is working to document abuses and pursue accountability under international law, including for alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity.
Meanwhile, millions of displaced people remain in precarious conditions, living in forests, temporary camps, or informal shelters. Many face severe shortages of food, medicine, and clean water, as well as ongoing security risks.
Humanitarian organisations continue to warn that the crisis is worsening and are calling for urgent international support to address the growing needs of displaced communities across Myanmar.
