There’s been many times over the last 12 months that I’ve had reason to silently recite the words of the apostle Paul in 2 Corinthians 4:8 when considering the people of Myanmar.

We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair.

These words of hopeful desperation have become a mantra, prayed with and for the millions of people suffering the effects of armed conflicts across the world, and the resulting humanitarian crises.  

Over the last four years, the many ethnic people groups constituting the country of Myanmar have become too familiar with the reality of violence. What’s most tragic is that the violent suppression of all opposing voices to the junta has been carried out by Myanmar’s military, against the population it should be protecting and defending. 

Why We Stand With Myanmar

Four years have passed since 1 February 2021 when, following a brief period of partial democracy, the junta conducted a coup that forced numerous members of the elected government into exile, and imprisoned many others. After reassuming their brutal administrative control over most major urban areas, the military has held state power since. While other global conflicts currently occupy the most prominent of media headlines, the ongoing situation across Myanmar’s enormous territories remains a humanitarian disaster, as the following recently reported realities illustrate all too well.  

  • The acute and continuing decline in food production and supply – the UN Development Program warns that without urgent action, acute famine conditions could emerge in certain regions by mid-2025.1 
  • Hyperinflation and income loss – the junta’s disregard for the country’s resources has caused economic chaos. Rice prices, for example, have increased by up to 944% in some areas since the coup devastating monthly household incomes, which now average just over $20 USD.  
  • Displacement – the impact of the violence has seen a 63 per cent increase in the number of internally displaced persons. This brings an anticipated rise in the practice of human trafficking, particularly among the vulnerable Rohingya population. 
  • Humanitarian Challenges – aid organisations such as Baptist World Aid and our partners face significant obstacles in providing assistance due to restrictions imposed by Myanmar’s military regime, and numerous extreme weather events.

Stand With Myanmar–What We’ve Done, What We’re Doing 

The Australian Baptist Church has a special relationship with the people of Myanmar, with more than ten thousand of Myanmar’s diaspora now calling a Baptist church in Australia home. These are our brothers and sisters, our family in Christ!  

We’ve been involved in the Stand with Myanmar campaign, in partnership with Baptist Mission Australia and every Baptist state and territory association across Australia. Together we are advocating, praying, and raising funds for the people of Myanmar.  

In partnership with Baptist Mission Australia and every Baptist state and territory association across Australia, we’re advocating, praying, and raising funds for the people of Myanmar.

While the situation in Myanmar clearly illustrates the desperate need for all these activities to continue in earnest, we’ve been pleased to celebrate some wins: 

  • Each year since the coup, the Australian government has imposed and then increased sanctions on the military junta and the financial institutions that do business with them, restricting their financial reach and operational capacity.
  • The Australian Humanitarian Partnership for Myanmar aid recently provided $9 million AUD to assist those in need, $3 million of which will be distributed through the Church Agency Network Disaster Organisation.  
  • Several of our advocates, predominantly church leaders from various Myanmar people groups, had the opportunity to meet in person and contribute to the latest report delivered by Professor Tom Andrews, Special Rapporteur to the United Nations for Human Rights in Myanmar. 
  • Hundreds of churches from every state and territory in Australia signed this year’s petition, recently delivered in person to the Foreign Minister’s office, calling for a louder voice, stronger action, and further sanctions against the entities through which the junta finances their acquisition of weapons. Meeting with two of Senator Wong’s senior advisors, we were encouraged to ‘keep it up, it’s important, and while it’s not in the headlines, please rest assured the situation in Myanmar sits very close to the top of the Foreign Minister’s agenda.’ 

The scripture quoted earlier is one thing to pray on behalf of others; it’s difficult to imagine how desperately those words must be felt by those most affected by such terror and violence through no fault of their own. This is why it’s important that the Australian Baptist community continues to Stand with Myanmar until peace is restored.  

Thank you for supporting our efforts to fight for justice in Myanmar; please join us in continuing to stand with the country’s people through prayer advocacy and giving. If you’d like to give towards the humanitarian response in Myanmar through the work of our local Partner in the region, you can do so here.