The Philippines has called for urgent expansion of humanitarian assistance in Myanmar, as the country’s civil war enters its fifth year in 2026.
Foreign Affairs Secretary Theresa Lazaro, serving as ASEAN’s special envoy on Myanmar, briefed the United Nations Security Council in New York on the worsening crisis and the region’s ongoing diplomatic efforts.
“I highlighted ASEAN efforts to advance the Five-Point Consensus (5PC), stressed the urgency of delivering humanitarian assistance, and called for renewed cooperation in supporting a Myanmar-led and Myanmar-owned pathway to peace,” Lazaro said.
The conflict stems from the 2021 coup d’état, when Myanmar’s military seized power, sparking widespread displacement and economic collapse.
According to the World Health Organization, humanitarian access has become increasingly restricted due to intensifying armed clashes, particularly in Chin State, Rakhine State, and Sagaing Region, where fighting has disrupted healthcare services and blocked patients and medical workers from reaching facilities.
Data from the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners (AAPP) shows that since the coup, 30,448 activists and civilians have been arrested, with 22,797 still detained and 129 facing the death penalty. The group also reported at least 7,777 confirmed deaths, with around 4,500 more under verification.
Lazaro stressed that ASEAN’s efforts must be matched by stronger international cooperation to deliver aid and support a peace process led and owned by Myanmar itself.