Looking at international news coverage related to Myanmar from 12 to 25 March 2025, Myanmar remains at the forefront of global attention due to its worsening humanitarian crisis, increasing international pressure on the military junta, and changing regional responses.
Worsening Humanitarian Crisis
Myanmar’s humanitarian emergency has significantly deteriorated over the past two weeks. With an enormous funding shortfall, the World Food Programme (WFP) announced on 14 March that, starting in April 2025, food assistance for over 1 million people across Myanmar will have to be suspended. The announcement highlighted that this suspension stems from ongoing conflicts across the country, displacement of populations, and restrictions on access to provide aid. 1
The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) has halted its support for four years, forcing health organizations working on the ground in Arakan State to suspend operations. 2 The USAID funding cuts have also led to a shortage of malaria medication in Tanintharyi Region. 3
Efforts are underway to explore the possibility of opening a humanitarian corridor between Bangladesh and Myanmar, with discussions expected to involve the Arakha Army (AA). This was stated by UN Secretary-General António Guterres during his visit on 15 March. 4
International pressure against the junta
The Myanmar military junta continues to face severe international condemnation. Human Rights Watch (HRW) has called on countries worldwide to boycott the junta’s election plans. 5 To date, the junta has faced up to 70 rounds of international sanctions. 6 Furthermore, on 11 March, Switzerland announced the inclusion of the Myanmar Oil and Gas Enterprise (MOGE) in its sanctions list. 7 Justice for Myanmar, on 25 March, urged other countries to follow suit with similar urgent sanctions to cut off the junta’s financial resources. 8 The International Labour Organization (ILO) has also taken steps to sever the junta’s revenue streams, an action praised by labor organizations. 9
Regional responses
Myanmar’s current situation has prompted various approaches from neighboring countries:
India has limited border crossings at Pan Saung Pass to only 20 people per day. 10 In addition, India.com reports that India is planning to construct a technologically advanced fence within 10 years and is closely monitoring the situation in Sittwe, the capital of Arakan State, which is considered a major military target for the Arakha Army. 11 12
Bangladeshi media reported on 17 March that the Bangladeshi government arrested a leader of the Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army (ARSA). The Rapid Action Battalion (RAB), Bangladesh’s anti-terrorism and crime-fighting unit, arrested 48-year-old ARSA leader Ataullah along with 5 others in the capital, Dhaka. 13
In Kyaukphyu Township of Arakan State, 27 Chinese mercenaries have arrived to provide security for Chinese projects. These armed personnel have been stationed at the Power China factory in Gone Chein village in Kyaukphyu Township. These Chinese mercenaries began arriving in late February to protect the Power China power station, which is funded by Chinese investment.
U.S. policy shifts
President Donald Trump’s policies have significantly impacted Myanmar, which is facing civil war. Tom Andrews, the UN Special Rapporteur on human rights in Myanmar, warned during a 17 March press conference in Geneva, Switzerland, that USAID’s humanitarian funding cuts have severely affected the people of Myanmar. The Special Rapporteur stated that when healthcare and food aid were suddenly cut off, Myanmar’s humanitarian sector, which was already extremely stressed and overwhelmed, deteriorated further. 14
After US President Donald Trump took office for a second term, the US government has suspended development projects around the world, which has had a major impact on Myanmar-based media outlets as well as those based in Thailand.
President Trump signed an executive order on 14 March to reduce operations at seven government agencies, including the U.S. Agency for Global Media (USAGM), which provides financial support to independent news outlets like Voice of America (VOA) and Radio Free Asia (RFA). Following this order, VOA Burmese’s live broadcasts were suspended. VOA Burmese announced on 16 March that programs have been temporarily suspended but will resume broadcasting soon. Michael Abramowitz, VOA’s director, wrote on his Facebook page that he was deeply saddened by this action, which has silenced VOA for the first time in 83 years. He also informed that more than 1,300 staff members, including reporters, producers, and support staff, have been placed on paid leave. 15
Myanmar’s complex crisis shows no signs of abating, and the international community finds itself at a crossroads in decision-making. Currently, although the military junta remains isolated from the international community, it continues to resist pressure and sanctions, while the people of Myanmar continue to suffer from reduced assistance and expanding conflicts. Regional powers like India and China appear to be balancing their security and economic interests in their approach to the situation.
1 WFP announces suspension of food aid for over 1 million Myanmar people, DVB, 14 Mar 2025
2 Health projects in Arakan State suspended due to US funding cuts, DMG, 12 Mar 2025
3 USAID cuts cause antimalarial drug shortage in Tanintharyi Region, DMG, 12 Mar 2025
4 UN Chief says talks with AA also needed for humanitarian corridor, 18 Mar 2025
5 HRW urges international community not to assist junta’s election, DVB, 12 Mar 2025
6 International community has imposed 70 rounds of sanctions on junta, DVB, 11 Mar 2025
7 Switzerland sanctions MOGE, RFA, 11 Mar 2025
8 Justice for Myanmar calls on three countries to follow Switzerland’s example and impose sanctions on MOGE, KIC, 12 Mar 2025
9 Labor organizations welcome ILO Governing Body’s decision to sanction Myanmar junta and cut off revenue sources, Mizzima, 20 Mar 2025
10 India allows only 20 people per day to enter at Pan Saung Pass, KNG, 11 Mar 2025
11 India to build technologically advanced fence along Myanmar border within 10 years, Mizzima, 16 Mar 2025
12 India closely monitors AA’s major target Sittwe, Narinjara, 25 Mar 2025
13 Bangladesh arrests ARSA leader along with 6 others, DVB, 19 Mar 2025
14 UN Special Rapporteur says Myanmar people are suffering adverse effects from USAID cuts, People’s Spring, 18 Mar 2025
15 Over 1,300 VOA staff placed on leave after Trump’s order, RFA also facing possible shutdown, Mizzima, 16 Mar 2025