Myanmar: The year 2024 in pictures

Many communities continued to face significant challenges, including limited access to health care, water, food, communications, transportation, and income-generating opportunities. In addition, landmines and unexploded ordnance remained a major threat to life. The situation worsened during the rainy season, when floods swept across the country cutting off entire communities, making it tougher for humanitarian aid to reach people in need.

Amid these challenges, we at the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) continued to support impacted communities by focusing on basic needs such as water, food, sanitation and health care. We also provided medical supplies and expanded our physical rehabilitation services, integrating mental health and psychosocial support to help the victims of explosive devices cope with their challenges.

These photos reflect the resilience and determination we witnessed throughout 2024 and offer a glimpse into the strength and courage of communities coping with these difficult circumstances.

Ma San San Maw, a landmine explosion survivor, participated in a two-week training programme organized by the Hpa-An Orthopaedic Rehabilitation Centre with the support of the ICRC. She has been working as a repairperson and providing services to those in need of minor repairs to their prostheses or orthoses. 

"I would like to call on all parties to stop the use of landmines and other explosive devices," said Ma San San Maw in a message on the 75th anniversary of the Geneva Conventions.

Under the rules of international humanitarian law, families have the right to know the whereabouts of their loved ones, even in times of crisis. The ICRC works with National Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies to help families reunite or stay in touch by finding out what happened to their missing loved ones after they got separated.

The ICRC team delivers a Red Cross Messages letter to a family who was aware that their loved one was detained but was unable to contact the person.

Due to the ongoing conflict in the country, most released detainees face significant challenges in returning home. Through the Safe Return Home program, the ICRC team in Myanmar helps released detainees return home safely and with dignity. 

We provide them with money for transport and allowance for food and temporary shelter. We also encourage them to adopt safe practices to avoid the dangers of explosive remnants of war.

Through the Family Visit Program, the ICRC in Myanmar helps family members of detainees visit their loved ones in places of detention by covering their travel, food and temporary accommodation expenses.

In 2024, the ICRC in Myanmar supported 1,638 families for prison visits and 4,555 detainees upon their release. The ICRC also informed the families of 1,896 people of the whereabouts of their relatives.

In late 2023 and early 2024, clashes intensified in parts of northern Shan State, leading to the disruption of livelihood for thousands. In response, we provided food and essential household items to 14,850 displaced people from 3,656 families.

As the conflict continues to escalate throughout northern Shan State, prompting both displaced and host communities to relocate to safer areas, we are working to reach the communities with food and other aid.

In early June, we provided rice seeds, maize seeds and organic fertilizer to displaced families from communities in Kachin and Kayin states, as well as in Mandalay and Bago regions.

Through this initiative, we also provided agricultural tools and training to these communities, to help increase crop production and improve food consumption.

Under international humanitarian law, persons deprived of their liberty must be allowed to maintain contact with their loved ones.

In March 2024, we, at the International Committee of the Red Cross, helped a mother from Rakhine State identify the prison where her daughter is being held and arranged a phone call with her grandson, who is in a childcare centre, while her daughter remains detained.

In Myanmar, landmines and unexploded ordnance are a major threat to the lives and livelihoods of many communities, killing as well as injuring hundreds of people every year.

To reduce the risk they face and make communities aware of such risks, we conducted Risk Awareness and Safer Behavior (RASB) sessions, provided training of trainers for community-based volunteers, and delivered RASB materials (including leaflets, posters, comic books and coloring books) directly to communities living in hard-to-reach areas.

The ongoing conflict in Rakhine State has made it difficult for communities to access basic health services and medical treatment.

To ensure that people affected by the conflict have access to basic health care and to alleviate the challenges faced by communities, the ICRC team in Sittwe provided medical supplies to Thet Kal Pyin Hospital in January and to Sittwe Hospital in June.

In Myanmar, we work with the Myanmar Red Cross Society (MRCS) to deliver assistance to remote areas. Together, we respond to urgent emergencies and help communities mitigate risks by conducting Risk Awareness and Safer Behaviors (RASB) sessions and sharing health information to prevent diseases. The Hpa-An Orthopaedic Rehabilitation Centre (HORC), operated by MRCS in Kayin State with the support of ICRC, provides essential physical rehabilitation services to people with disabilities.

In the Myaing Gyi Ngu area of Kayin State, Myanmar, many displaced families are struggling to meet their basic needs. To address this, we renovated hand-dug wells, constructed new hand-dug wells with four-angle roofs, and built concrete platforms with proper drainage systems to ensure access to safe water.

In September, ICRC president, Mirjana Spoljaric, visited Myanmar and Rakhine State to learn first-hand about the humanitarian situation in the country and to advocate for greater humanitarian assistance.

“The ICRC’s determination to assist the people of Myanmar is unwavering,” said President Spoljaric, reaffirming the organization’s commitment to addressing the most urgent humanitarian needs in the country. “We are engaging in a bilateral and confidential dialogue with all actors to the conflict to remind them of their obligation to respect international humanitarian law and ensure the safety of civilians and humanitarian actors,” she added.

Ambulance service providers are vital first responders during disasters and emergencies. Proper prehospital care provided by them can save lives and alleviate suffering.

To enhance their skills, the ICRC trained 20 ambulance service providers from civil society organizations in the Magway region, strengthening their ability to respond effectively to community needs during emergencies.

In November 2024, the ICRC in Myanmar held a photo exhibition in Yangon to commemorate the 75th anniversary of the Geneva Conventions.

The exhibition featured powerful photos and videos depicting the historical journey and evolution of international humanitarian law (IHL), highlighting its role in protecting human dignity and alleviating suffering in armed conflicts around the world.