Myanmar Update (August 10, 2022)

In February of 2021, the democratically elected government of Myanmar was overthrown in a coup by the military. Since then, the people of Myanmar have been caught in the midst of war, as the ruling military violently suppresses any group advocating against them. IDES has been working with partners in Myanmar for decades, but our involvement has only increased as the coup continues. Our work includes projects such as providing clean water sources, building homes for refugees, feeding hungry people, providing medical relief, and responding to other disasters that have happened in the midst of the coup. 

IDES has responded with over $1.25 million in aid in the year and a half since the coup began. We have worked with 23 different missionaries to carry out 76 projects to help the people of Myanmar. We have helped over 125,000 refugees or internally displaced peoples (IDPs) with basic needs such as food, clothing, bedding, shelter, and medical care. The military has been notorious for bombing villages and destroying houses, forcing people to flee to the jungles to find safety there. We have built houses to provide shelter to 193 families who were left with nothing after the military attacks. 

Though much of our work focuses on the Burmese refugees and IDPs, we are also working to address problems in Myanmar that existed before the coup, such as lack of access to food, clean water, and medical care. In the past year and a half, our partners have distributed almost 2 million pounds of food to Myanmar's needy people. We have completed 11 clean water projects, bringing safe drinking water to communities that lacked it previously. IDES provided over $110,000 in medical care to people who don’t have access to basics such as pain medication or antibiotics. Lastly, we responded to 4 natural disasters in Myanmar, providing necessary supplies to people affected by flooding and severe storms. 

We are grateful for the efforts of our partners in Myanmar and Thailand who work tirelessly to help so many people in need. Myanmar's problems are complex and have been prevalent for decades, but our partners are working diligently to make a difference for thousands of people. They focus not only on physical needs but also on sharing about Jesus and the hope he provides. In 2022, there have been 36 baptisms as people have accepted the good news of Jesus.

Please join us in praying for Myanmar. The situation often seems hopeless because of the complexities of needs in the country, but we trust that God is able to bring peace and healing to Myanmar.