The Military, Money, and Myanmar: Breaking the Nexus
The report “The Military, Money, and Myanmar“ by Dr. Sean Turnell, commissioned by the Special Advisory Council for Myanmar (SAC-M), examines the intertwined control the Myanmar military has over the country’s finances. It highlights the military’s dominance over the Central Bank, financial institutions, and foreign exchange markets, which has funded its wars and suppressed democracy. It also addresses international sanctions, the role of private and state-owned banks, and grassroots financial resistance efforts like mobile money and the “hundi“ system. The paper provides recommendations for dismantling the military’s economic control both before and after the junta’s fall, advocating for enhanced international sanctions and financial reforms.
Finance, Competitiveness and Innovation
The World Bank's Finance, Competitiveness & Innovation Report provides an overview of Myanmar's economic and financial landscape within the East Asia & Pacific region. It highlights key metrics such as GDP per capita ($5.95K in 2023), employment rates (59.26% in 2020), and inflation (8.83% in 2019). The report assesses financial access, showing 47.79% of adults have bank accounts, but digital payment adoption is relatively low. Myanmar ranks below regional and global averages in ease of doing business, particularly in credit accessibility, contract enforcement, and protecting minority investors. The report also includes data on FDI, sectoral contributions to GDP, and key trade statistics. Finally, it acknowledges data limitations due to discontinued World Bank reports on business climate rankings.
The Dire Consequences of inaction on aviation fuel in Myanmar
The document discusses the severe impact of the Myanmar military's airstrikes on civilians following the attempted coup in 2021. It highlights the military's use of aviation fuel for airstrikes, leading to loss of life, displacement, and destruction of infrastructure, exacerbating the humanitarian crisis. Despite international sanctions, the military continues to access aviation fuel through intermediaries. The report calls for stricter enforcement of sanctions, international monitoring, and corporate accountability to prevent further devastation. The document also emphasizes the urgent need to halt aviation fuel supplies to the Myanmar military to protect civilians and restore access to essential services and livelihoods.
Justice Country Snapshots
The Justice Country Snapshot for Myanmar (World Bank report) evaluates the state of justice, rule of law, and legal transparency within the country. Myanmar ranks low in access to justice, judicial independence, and rule of law. The report highlights inefficiencies in the legal system, with poor enforcement of civil justice, frequent court delays, and limited accessibility to fair trials. Myanmar scored 0 in equal treatment laws compared to regional and global averages. Judicial corruption and government influence remain major concerns, limiting democracy and human rights protection. Additionally, businesses face legal obstacles, with many firms citing the court system as a barrier to operations. The report underscores the need for judicial reforms, transparency, and improved legal protections to strengthen Myanmar’s governance and human rights landscape.
Gender Country Snapshots
The Gender Country Snapshot for Myanmar (World Bank report) examines women's economic participation, legal rights, social norms, and financial access within the East Asia & Pacific region. Women make up 41.49% of the labor force (2023), but many face informal employment and wage gaps. Female business ownership is 33.5%, with 41.1% of firms having female top managers. Women’s financial inclusion is low, with 46.15% having bank accounts (2021) and limited access to credit. Social and legal challenges persist, including a lack of equal pay laws, limited protections against workplace discrimination, and weak political representation. However, women have equal rights in property inheritance, marriage, and mobility, though some barriers remain in entrepreneurship and leadership. The report highlights the need for better financial access, stronger gender-equality laws, and economic opportunities for women.
Tourism Country Snapshots
Tourism in Myanmar has seen a sharp decline due to political instability, economic challenges, and the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2023, tourism contributed 3.0% to GDP and 2.8% to total employment, reflecting a slow recovery. International arrivals dropped to 0.9 million (2020), while tourism revenue stood at USD 2.5 billion (2019) before the crisis. The country lacks updated Travel & Tourism Development Index (TTDI) scores and rankings, signaling limited data and investment in the sector. Myanmar's tourism infrastructure, enabling environment, and policy framework remain underdeveloped compared to regional peers.
Situation of human rights in Myanmar
The UN Special Rapporteur’s report highlights the escalating human rights crisis in Myanmar, with increased violence, forced displacement, and severe humanitarian needs. The military junta (State Administration Council - SAC) has intensified its attacks on civilians, particularly in Rakhine State, where mass killings, forced conscription, and ethnic tensions have worsened. The Rohingya population remains highly vulnerable, facing violence, starvation, and lack of humanitarian aid. Key Statistics:3.1 million people displaced due to conflict and junta attacks.18.6 million people in need of humanitarian assistance.13.3 million facing extreme food insecurity. Over 5,800 civilians killed by junta forces.21,000+ political prisoners detained.#CounterTerrorismLaw
End of Mission Statement Tom Andrews: UN Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Myanmar
Key Humanitarian and Human Rights Issues:3.1 million people displaced since the February 2021 coup.5,600 civilians killed by junta forces.18.6 million people in urgent need of humanitarian aid.13.3 million facing emergency levels of food insecurity. Over 20,000 political prisoners detained.
Military successes with unresolved Federal Puzzles
The report analyzes the ongoing political and military developments in Myanmar following the 2021 military coup.It examines the progress of revolutionary forces in their fight against junta , their military successes ,and the challenges in establishing a federal democratic union .The document highlights the role of ethnic revolutionary organizations (EROs ),the National Unity Government (NUG), and the National Unity Consultative Council (NUCC) in shaping Myanmar’s future . It discusses the impact of Operation 1027, territorial control , ethnic conflicts, and the challenges of integrating military and political strategies .
UNICEF Myanmar Humanitarian Situation Report No. 8 31 October 2024
As of August 2024, approximately 370,000 children under the age of 12 months had received their initial doses of the measles-rubella vaccine through UNICEF’s national routine immunization programme. The situation remains volatile, with intense armed clashes escalating across the country, particularly in Rakhine, northern Shan, Kayah, Sagaing and Chin. As of end- October, more than 3.4 million people are internally displaced. Between 19 September and 1 October, various forms of shelling led to the deaths of at least 38 civilians and 58 injured, in townships in Chin state, Magway, Mandalay and Sagaing regions in the northwest, and eastern Bago and Kayin state in the southeast. Homes, schools, religious buildings and public assets were damaged or destroyed. Humanitarian aid continues despite operational challenges such as insecurity, access restrictions and unstable telecommunications. Recent widespread flooding has further exacerbated the scarcity of resources to deliver lifesaving assistance with more funding needed to provide immediate aid to people affected by conflict and severe flooding. In September, heavy rainfall, severe flooding, and landslides in the wake of Typhoon Yagi affected an estimated 1 million people, many already displaced by conflict including more than 300,000 children in at least 70 townships. Significant damage to homes, household assets and critical infrastructure, including health facilities, schools, water sources, major highways, bridges, and WASH infrastructure and livelihoods have forcied many families to evacuate. Communication challenges persist due to flooded roads and downed electric to lines. Numerous schools were forced to close or are being used as shelters, affecting the education of thousands of children. Child protection is a major concern, with risks such as family separation, psychological distress, exposure to explosive ordnance and drowning. More than 270,000 children and more than 180,000 parents and caregivers are in urgent need of child protection services. The flooding has also exacerbated the spread of waterborne diseases such as acute watery diarrhoea (AWD), dengue fever, malaria, cholera and measles, putting increased demands on health, nutrition and WASH services.