By Martin Banks

The European Union is providing an additional €10.5 million in humanitarian aid for people affected by the conflict in Myanmar.

This brings EU humanitarian support for the country to €49.1 million in 2026.

More than 100,000 lives have now been lost since the military coup in February 2021.

EU humanitarian partners will, thanks to the new funding, provide life-saving assistance for people affected by conflict, displacement and disasters, including recent flash floods in several locations across the country.

The assistance consists of emergency healthcare, food, protection, shelters, as well as water and sanitation equipment.

The deadly conflict in Myanmar remains one of the world’s most severe humanitarian crises.

Landmine contamination is a major issue as Myanmar tops the global list for casualties of landmine and explosive remnants of war.

Comment came from European Commissioner for Equality, Preparedness and Crisis Management, Hadja Lahbib.

The Belgian said, “The scale of Myanmar’s humanitarian crisis has changed beyond recognition in over the past five years. What was a crisis affecting around one million people, has now become one of the world’s largest humanitarian emergencies, with 16.2 million people in need of assistance.

“ Civilians live in daily fear for their lives, their coping capacities stretched to breaking point amid an economy in freefall, a collapsed health system, and one of the world’s worst hunger crises.”

She added, “ We cannot allow this crisis to fade from international attention while millions continue to bear its human cost.”

A commission spokesman said, “As other donors retreat and humanitarian law faces unprecedented strain, the EU maintains its commitment: principled aid that reaches people in need, wherever they are.”