2/24/26, 11:05 AM World Report 2026: Myanmar | Human Rights Watch children when unaccompanied, displaced, or working, then concealed or failed to verify their DONATE NOW ages. The military has sent children to the front lines and used them as guides, porters, and human shields. Non-state armed groups have also recruited child soldiers and carried out other conflictrelated abuses, such as using antipersonnel landmines. Aid Blockages, Displacement, and Humanitarian Crisis The junta enforces deadly blockages of humanitarian aid as a method of collective punishment against civilian populations. These blockages sustain the military’s longstanding “four cuts” strategy, designed to maintain control of an area by isolating and terrorizing civilians. On March 28, a 7.7 magnitude earthquake struck central Myanmar, causing thousands of deaths and widespread destruction that impacted 17 million people. Following the earthquake, the junta obstructed access to lifesaving services in opposition-held areas. The junta’s years of unlawful attacks on healthcare facilities and health workers severely hampered the emergency response. Despite announcing a ceasefire, the military reportedly carried out more than 550 attacks in the two months following the earthquake. At least 3.6 million people in the country are internally displaced. Many live in makeshift shelters and open fields with limited access to food, health care, and water. Foreign aid cuts, skyrocketing prices, and lack of access to medical care has exacerbated growing malnutrition, waterborne illness, and preventable deaths. Over 15 million people are facing acute food insecurity, with Rakhine State especially impacted. Arbitrary Detention, Torture, and Ill-Treatment Junta authorities have arrested more than 30,000 people since the coup, including over 6,200 women and 625 children. More than 2,200 people are reported to have died in junta custody, although the actual figure is likely higher. Torture, sexual violence, and other ill-treatment is rampant in prisons, interrogation centers, military bases, and other detention sites, with reports of rape, beatings, prolonged stress positions, electric shock and burning, denial of medical care, and deprivation of food, water, and sleep. In July, activist Ma Wutt Yee Aung, 26, We usedied cookies, tracking technologies, andofthird-party in Insein prison due to reported lack medical treatment for long-term head injuries shetools sustained from torture. analytics to better understand who is using the website and improve your experience. By using our website you are Thetosecurity forcesour haveprivacy arbitrarily arrested activists, journalists, humanitarian workers, agreeing this. Read policy to find out what lawyers, and religious leaders. Authorities also detain family members—including children— cookies are used for and how to change your settings. https://www.hrw.org/world-report/2026/country-chapters/myanmar?utm_source=chatgpt.com 3/8