Australians Help Build Bridges to Recovery in Crisis-Stricken Myanmar

Jesuit Mission Australia is urging renewed support as the humanitarian crisis in Myanmar worsens, with new UN data revealing that over 22 million people, around one-third of the population, are now in urgent need of humanitarian assistance.

As the civil conflict escalates, Jesuit Mission’s trusted partners on the ground report that several areas where they operate have come under direct attack. Bombings have hit villages, churches, schools, and aid centers.

In one of the most shocking incidents, the Cathedral and Bishop’s offices in Banmaw were bombed and set on fire. “This is not just an attack on buildings, but an attack on the people's faith, culture, and hope,” said a local Jesuit partner.

These attacks have forced entire communities, many of which are already marginalized, to flee into the jungle. There, they build makeshift shelters from tarpaulins and bamboo, turning forest clearings into temporary homes and classrooms as they face an uncertain future.

To deliver aid to these displaced populations, local Jesuit partners brave roadblocks, landmines, military checkpoints, remote terrain, and communication blackouts. They work with a trusted network of priests, sisters, Buddhist leaders, and lay collaborators, forming vital partnerships for relief and peacebuilding efforts.

Many of these communities have endured years of economic collapse, armed conflict, and natural disasters, including flooding from Typhoon Yagi in 2024 and a series of earthquakes on March 28, 2025.

In just the three months since the March 28 earthquake, support from Australians has enabled Jesuit Mission’s local partners to:

• Reconstruct three bridges and a solar power system in Southern Shan State;
• Begin rebuilding 30 shelters and two multi-purpose halls;
• Distribute emergency food packages to an additional 3,806 people.

“After three years of being unable to afford a full bag of rice... seeing a full sack of rice at home brought us to tears,” shared one recipient. “It meant more than survival; it gave us space to breathe, to plan, and to hope again.”

Helen Forde, CEO of Jesuit Mission Australia, expressed gratitude: “We are deeply thankful to our Jesuit partners and to our Australian supporters. Your generosity makes it possible to deliver life-saving aid and restore hope to communities in their darkest hour.”

Since its launch in 2021, the Jesuit Mission Emergency Action Fund has supported more than 850,000 women, men, and children in 14 countries facing devastation, crisis, and turmoil.

To support the people of Myanmar, you can donate today or join the One Foot Raised campaign this Saint Ignatius Day on July 31, and walk in solidarity with Myanmar’s suffering communities: https://jesuitmission.org.au/one-foot-raised