Over 140 civilians killed by airstrikes since ‘100-day peace offer’
A total of 143 civilians have been killed and 264 have been injured by airstrikes carried out by the Burma Air Force in the first 40 days since regime leader Min Aung Hlaing announced his “100-day plan” on April 20, according to DVB data. Min Aung Hlaing invited all ethnic armed groups and resistance forces to engage in “dialogue” with his regime in the capital Naypyidaw before July 31.
A resident in Arakan State’s Taungup Township told DVB on the condition of anonymity that civilians living there have faced daily airstrikes in recent weeks. Taungup, seized by the Arakan Army (AA) on Nov. 24, 2024, is located 284 miles (457 km) south of the Arakan State capital Sittwe. The AA has seized 14 of 17 Arakan townships, as well as Chin State’s Paletwa Township since November 2023.
At least 298 airstrikes were carried out across the country from April 20 to June 1, according to DVB data. A total of 71 airstrikes occurred in Sagaing Region with 54 taking place in Chin State. In Magway Region, there were 36 with 20 taking place in Arakan State. The other 104 airstrikes documented by DVB occurred in other states and regions across the country. Read more
UN warns funding cuts could worsen Rohingya crisis in Bangladesh
The U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) warned on Tuesday that declining humanitarian funding could significantly worsen conditions for around 1.2 million Rohingya living in refugee camps in Bangladesh—nearly nine years after they fled a military crackdown in Burma in 2017 labelled a genocide by the U.S.—as aid groups struggle to sustain essential services.
As global crises multiply and donor budgets tighten, the UNHCR and its humanitarian partners on the ground are finding it increasingly difficult to maintain support for one of the world’s largest refugee populations. The pressure has grown with the arrival of about 150,000 more Rohingya Muslims since early 2024, fleeing renewed violence in Burma’s Arakan State, which borders Bangladesh.
Meanwhile, the U.S. and some European countries have cut funding for international aid in recent years. Last month, the U.N. and the Bangladesh government launched a $710.5 million USD appeal to fund food, shelter, healthcare, education and protection services. However, the appeal—already 26 per cent lower than last year’s—remains only about 60 per cent funded. Read more
Refugees fund own camp survival after international aid cuts
A devastating withdrawal of international humanitarian funding has forced refugees from Burma in Thailand to tap into their own scarce resources to maintain critical, life-sustaining camp services. The Border Consortium (TBC)—a Thailand-based humanitarian group that has supported refugees for over 30 years—refugee-led committees are filling the gaps left behind by non-governmental organizations (NGOs).
The TBC’s latest report, titled “Refugee-Led Governance in Transition: Leading the Shift from Aid Dependence to Self-Reliance on the Thailand-Myanmar Border,” details the growing strain on the 107,000 refugees currently residing across nine camps along the frontier. The funding crisis hit a breaking point following major international donor cuts in 2025. Historically, international aid funded the baseline management of camp infrastructure.
Now, funding has dropped so sharply that TBC can only assist the most fragile segments of the population. “We can now support only those we categorise as most vulnerable, which amounts to fewer than 16 per cent of the total refugee population,” Maximillian Mørch, TBC’s head of program development and quality assurance, told DVB. “These are people who, often because of disability, poor health or old age, are unable to work and support themselves.” Read more
News by Region
CHIN—The Chin Defence Force (CDF) reopened the 22-mile (35 km) road connecting Laitui village in Tedim Township to the Burma–India border town of Rikhawdar in Falam District on Tuesday. The road had been closed to residents on May 21 due to what the CDF described as “security concerns.”
A CDF member told DVB that residents are allowed to begin using the road between 6 a.m. and 7 p.m., adding that anyone travelling outside those hours must notify the CDF. Rikhawdar, a key trade hub located 147 miles (236 km) north of the state capital Hakha, was seized by Chin resistance forces in November 2023.
MAGWAY—The People’s Defence Force (PDF) in Myaing Township told DVB that three of its members were killed by regime forces during a raid on a PDF camp on Tuesday. Myaing, located 130 miles (209 km) north of the region’s capital Magway, is contested between the PDF and pro-regime forces.
A PDF member told DVB that it was facing an “overwhelming” regime counteroffensive and were forced to withdraw from the camp. Aid groups told DVB that an unknown number of residents across 10 villages have been displaced by fighting between the PDF and regime forces, which began in late May.
NAYPYIDAW—China’s Foreign Ministry announced that regime Foreign Minister Tin Maung Swe will visit Wang Yi in China June 4-6. It stated that the visit will strengthen relations, expand practical cooperation and advance what Beijing calls the China-Burma “community with a shared future.”
Regime Vice President Nyo Saw met Anton Kobyakov, adviser to the Russian president, at the 29th Saint Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF) 2026 in Russia on June 3. Regime media reported the two discussed trade, investment, agriculture, mining and electricity. The SPIEF is June 3-6.
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