Interim Humanitarian Access Report | 2025

Karen State, Myanmar

Author

Mitch King
February 03, 2025

In Myanmar’s conflict-affected Karen State, delivering aid is increasingly difficult—but local responders are finding a way.

The HADR Institute’s latest interim report examines severe humanitarian access constraints in Karen State, where conflict, displacement, infrastructure destruction, and movement restrictions continue to isolate vulnerable communities. Myanmar has recently become the country with the most UXO/ERW casualties after overtaking Syria.

Key Findings

Amid ongoing armed conflict and two severe flood events, Karen faces high to severe humanitarian access constraints as a result of UXOs, severe weather and restrictions/obstructions to services. Key recommendations:

  • Coordinate with CBOs and humanitarian functions of local de facto authorities, such as the CIDKP, to ensure a locally led approach.

  • Implement Explosives Hazard Awareness Training (EHAT) for personnel and communities. This effort should be coordinated through locally sensitive CIVMIL functions.

  • Support CIVMIL programs to render safe UXO and ERW.

  • Strengthen cross-border aid coordination and resourcing to reach displaced and vulnerable populations

  • Use geospatial mapping tools to track infrastructure damage and share within trusted groups. This should build upon existing work, such as that underway with the Free Burma Rangers

  • Develop information sharing, early warning and incident reporting/monitoring protocols and coordination in trusted groups to enhance humanitarian safety

  • Humanitarian operations would benefit from operating during Karen’s dry season, particularly from December-April when rainfall is typically at its lowest.

  • For the next 6 months humanitarian operations should prioritise WASH, nutrition including staple items, healthcare, emergency shelter and non-food items targeting areas that remain heavily affected by the September 2024 flooding

What Makes This Report Different?

Unlike many reports that rely on official access routes, this analysis prioritises local insights, alternative aid pathways, and conflict-sensitive access strategies. It highlights the essential role of CBOs, local NGOs, and de facto authorities in ensuring aid reaches those in need.

Acknowledging Our Partners

This work wouldn’t be possible without our remote assessments team, our CBO and cross-border humanitarian partners, and the generous support of Airlink, Inc. and Anywise, who helped enable fact-finding and recent aid delivery missions.

Next Steps

📌 This is an interim report—the full version, set for release in late March, will provide a more comprehensive location-specific assessment of access constraints and risks for practitioners. Due to safety and security considerations, it may not be publicly available.

Thank you for your continued support in amplifying local voices, humanitarian coordination, and adaptive response strategies.

If you would like to support our work, please get in touch.

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