Disease

Burma has one the world’s worst health care systems, with some of the highest rates of malaria, tuberculosis, AIDS, dysentery, diarrhea and other communicable illnesses in the world. In the ethnic conflict areas of Burma, the government provides no healthcare. 15% of children die before their 5th birthday, mostly from illnesses that are easily preventable. Malaria accounts for nearly half of all deaths. 1 in 12 expecting mothers will not survive pregnancy.

Malnutrition

Food is considered a fundamental human right. Yet the ruling elite systematically denies food to the civilian population of Burma. The UN World Food Program estimates that 18% of households lack access to enough food to meet their dietary needs and 27% of children under the age of 5 are chronically malnourished enough to stunt their growth.

Illiteracy

Internationally, education is regarded as an indispensable human right. In Burma, however, it is inaccessible to most people. The ruling elite understands that education is dangerous to their maintenance of power and control: when people are educated they question the government and demand their rights. According to the United Nations, overall Burma ranks 164 out of 168 countries for public expenditure on education. Education opportunities are almost nonexistent in ethnic areas of Burma.

Gender Inequality

Women and girls face disadvantages in Burma. Forced displacement exposes refugees, migrants and internally displaced persons, especially women and girls, to additional risks and exploitation. Violence against women, especially rape, sexual assault, abduction, forced prostitution and sexual slavery, are caused by conflict and poverty.