New U.S. Sanctions and Humanitarian Policy Shift
The United States imposed sanctions on six targets, including the Myanmar-based Royal Shune Lei Company Limited, for generating revenue for North Korea’s WMD (Weapons of Mass Destruction) and ballistic missile programs, and for involvement in procuring materials for the Myanmar’s military junta, which has violently attacked civilian infrastructure since the 2021 coup. [1]
The U.S. Department of State announced that these sanctions are intended to dismantle these illicit networks and cut off funding for North Korea’s weapons programs. Separately, U.S. Special Envoy Charles Harder called for other nations and regional blocs to collectively share the burden of providing assistance to the people of Myanmar, including Rohingya people and other minority groups, stating it is no longer the sole responsibility of the United States. The Special Envoy stressed during a discussion at the UN General Assembly on 30 September that the complexity and scale of the Rohingya issue mean it cannot be solved by a single country. [2]
Pursuant to this policy shift, the U.S. government has earmarked over $60 million in aid for Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh but has clearly stated that host nation Bangladesh must create livelihood opportunities and aid organizations must implement significant policy changes to increase cost-effectiveness.
UN Report Highlights Concerning Situation of People in Myanmar
According to a 23 September release from the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UNOCHA), approximately 3.6 million people in Myanmar have been internally displaced and need humanitarian assistance due to conflicts escalating after the military coup. [3]
UNOCHA managed to deliver multi-sectoral assistance to at least 3.5 million people in the first half of 2025. However, the report noted that the agency faces major constraints in delivering aid, particularly in Myanmar’s northwestern and southeastern regions.
Separately, a 2 October report from the UN Development Programme (UNDP) highlighted a long-term crisis, stating that youth who make up over one-third of Myanmar’s population are facing a “future on hold” as pathways to education and employment have been severely damaged amid political instability, economic contraction, and social disruption. [4]
UNDP Regional Director Kanni Wignaraja added that this situation is not only an economic challenge but constitutes a generational alarm, pointing out that even young graduates, especially young women, are struggling to find jobs.
ASEAN Continues Clinging to the Five-Point Consensus
Malaysia, currently serving as the ASEAN Chair, stated through its Foreign Minister Dato’ Seri Mohamad Hasan on 26 September that ASEAN will continue to urge Myanmar to fully implement the ASEAN Five-Point Consensus (5PC) before any election is held following the 2021 coup. [5]
Speaking at the 80th UN General Assembly on 4 October, Minister Mohamad Hasan also stressed that immense efforts are required to end the conflict and achieve peace in Myanmar.
He expressed ASEAN’s deep disappointment that ceasefires have been broken and violence against civilians continues, warning that those responsible must remember that Myanmar is a part of a region, not an isolated country. [6]
The Malaysian Foreign Minister further called for efforts toward achieving a Myanmar-led solution to the conflict.
Other Humanitarian and Geopolitical Developments
The Thai government began implementing a plan on 1 October to allow refugees in camps along the Myanmar border to work outside the camps. Under this arrangement, refugees in four border districts will be permitted to work in 43 provinces across Thailand. Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul directed relevant employers to fully protect these workers under labor laws and enhance their social security. [7]
Myanmar activists joined political activists from Tibet, Hong Kong, Vietnam, and East Turkestan in San Francisco, U.S., to protest the Chinese government’s regional interference. International Myanmar activists are also planning a global protest to oppose the military council’s election, scheduled for this December, and the actions of the Chinese government. [8]
Russia’s state-owned nuclear energy corporation, ROSATOM, and the Myanmar military junta signed an agreement on 26 September to cooperate in the field of the “peaceful use of nuclear energy”. The junta reported that this agreement—which followed a meeting between Russian President Vladimir Putin and military leader Senior General Min Aung Hlaing—includes the construction of nuclear infrastructure and training. [9]
Bangladesh’s Response to Rohingya Situation Amid Dwindling Aid
Bangladesh’s interim leader, Muhammad Yunus, warned at the UN General Assembly on 26 September that decreasing international aid is pushing the Rohingya refugee crisis toward a near-catastrophic situation.
He added that the ongoing domestic conflict in Myanmar threatens not only regional stability but also the prospects for the safe return of the approximately 1.3 million Rohingya who fled the 2017 military crackdown and are now sheltering in Bangladesh. [10]
Meanwhile, tensions have escalated on the border: the Bangladesh Border Guard (BGB) has continuously seized goods destined for neighboring Arakan State since 14 September, following strained relations with the Arakan Army (AA), which controls most townships in the region. This has caused concern among Arakan civilians who have long suffered from commodity shortages amid the armed conflict. [11]
[1] US sanctions Myanmar company and 5 individuals for arms trafficking with North Korea, Mizzima, 26 Sep 2025
[2] US Representative urges countries to help Rohingya, ethnic minorities, and people of Myanmar, People’s Spring, 3 Oct 2025
[3] Myanmar – Humanitarian Update No. 49, OCHA, 23 Sep 2025
[4] Myanmar’s youth “on hold” as education and employment crisis deepens, UNDP, 2 Oct 2025
[5] Malaysia says it will push Myanmar to implement 5PC before junta election, Than Lwin Times, 27 Sep 2025
[6] Malaysian FM’s speech at 80th UN General Assembly, UN, 27 Sep 2025
[7] Thai PM urges to protect refugee camp workers in accordance with labor law, DVB, 2 Oct 2025
[8] Burmese participate in global movement against Chinese interference, DVB, 2 Oct 2025
[9] Russia and junta sign deal to cooperate on nuclear use, DVB, 27 Sep 2025
[10] Bangladesh calls for urgent action to prevent ‘catastrophic’ Rohingya aid crisis, Reuters, 27 Sept 2025
[11] Bangladesh seizes goods destined for Arakan State, DVB, 3 Oct 2025