Relief Reaches Mon

Mon State, nestled along Myanmar’s southern coast, has not been spared from the conflict ravaging the country. Though it has been relatively quieter compared to some of the more heavily bombarded regions, life in Mon is still marked by constant danger. Military forces have maintained a strong presence in the region, blocking roads and setting up checkpoints, making it difficult for aid to get through. Families trying to escape the violence are often met with arrests or forced conscription, leaving them with nowhere safe to turn. For the people of Mon, particularly those who are displaced, the struggle to survive is an everyday reality.

The conflict has displaced thousands of families, forcing them from their homes and into makeshift camps deep in the jungle. These camps, often little more than clusters of tarps and bamboo poles, provide minimal protection from the elements. During the rainy season, the shelters leak, leaving families soaked and cold. Many of the displaced are farmers, people who once lived off the land, but now they face a harsh new reality—one where food, clean water, and medical care are nearly impossible to find.

The needs in Mon are concerning. Food shortages are a constant worry, and with military blockades restricting aid deliveries, many families are left hungry. We have been told stories of parents rationing what little food they have, skipping meals so that their children can eat. Despite their best efforts, malnutrition is rampant, particularly among young children. Mothers are struggling to breastfeed due to lack of nourishment, leaving infants vulnerable to life-threatening conditions like kwashiorkor. In some camps, mothers and children haven’t had access to adequate food for weeks, and the situation grows more desperate each day.

In the midst of this crisis, local teams supported by Better Burma have been working tirelessly to provide life-saving assistance. Despite the dangers, they’ve found ways to navigate around military blockades, often traveling on foot through remote back roads to deliver aid. Recently, they were able to distribute vital supplies, including rice, lentils, and oil, to several of the most hard-hit camps. Though these supplies won’t last forever, they’ve given families a brief reprieve from hunger and the knowledge that they haven’t been forgotten.

The medical situation in Mon is just as dire. Hospitals and clinics have been overrun or abandoned, leaving the sick and injured with no place to go. Local medics have set up makeshift clinics in the camps, but their supplies are dwindling. Medications like antibiotics and pain relievers are running out, and without them, treatable conditions like pneumonia and infections are becoming fatal. Pregnant women are giving birth in unsafe conditions, often without any medical assistance. Newborns, already weakened by malnutrition, face an uphill battle for survival.

One of the hardest aspects of the crisis in Mon is the psychological toll it’s taking on families. We have also heard a number of stories about how many of the children in the camps have witnessed horrific violence. With schools closed and their lives turned upside down, they have nothing to distract them from the trauma of their daily existence. Some children have stopped speaking, while others show signs of deep anxiety, clinging to their parents for reassurance in a world where nothing feels certain anymore.

Despite all of this, the resilience of the people in Mon is remarkable. The local teams supported by Better Burma continue to press on, delivering not just supplies, but hope to those in the camps. Their work has reached hundreds of families, providing food, medical care, and hygiene items to help stem the tide of malnutrition and disease. But the need is far greater than the resources currently available. More families are arriving in the camps every day, and without additional support, it’s only a matter of time before the situation becomes even more dire.

If you’ve already donated, your generosity has been critical in keeping these efforts going. Because of you, hundreds of children and their families have had access to food and medical care when they needed it most. But the crisis is far from over. Every day, more people are displaced, more children go hungry, and more lives are put at risk. We’re asking for your help once again to ensure that the people of Mon don’t have to face this alone.