Asia and the Pacific: Regional Humanitarian Snapshot (3 - 16 March 2026)

MYANMAR
Ongoing conflict is continuing to impact communities in Myanmar with airstrikes and military operations across several regions resulting in civilian casualties, displacement, and damage to key civilian infrastructure. In eastern Bago Region, large-scale military operations since early March reportedly resulted in the death of more than 30 civilians and displaced thousands of people from villages in Nyaunglebin Township. In northwestern Myanmar, aerial attacks in Mandalay, Sagaing, and Magway between 3 and 5 March reportedly killed at least 11 civilians, including a drone strike on a monastery sheltering displaced people in Myingyan Township and paramotor attacks in Pale Township. In southeastern Myanmar, aerial attacks across southeastern Myanmar between 9 and 11 March reportedly killed at least 19 civilians, including children, and injured an estimated 30 people in Bago, Kayin, Kayah and Tanintharyi, while homes and religious buildings were damaged.

AFGHANISTAN
The conflict between Afghanistan and Pakistan entered its third week, with no sign of abating. Between 6 and 17 March, airstrikes and cross-border attacks have affected at least ten of Afghanistan’s provinces, including Kabul. Airstrikes on 16 March struck multiple locations across Afghanistan, including a drug rehabilitation centre in Kabul – the Omid Addiction Treatment Hospital – with casualty figures still being verified. Across Afghanistan, displacement is on the rise. Partners have reported 115,000 people have been forced to flee and more than 300 shelters have been destroyed or damaged. People who have been displaced need shelter, water, health services and food. According to partners, around 160,000 people are facing deteriorating food security. WFP has distributed high-energy biscuits to more than 3,300 households, with plans to provide two months of food assistance. According to WHO, 25 health facilities have closed or suspended operations, including ten damaged by airstrikes. WHO has deployed 4.5 metric tons of medical supplies and trauma kits, while UNICEF reports they have supplies sufficient to treat more than 50,000 emergency cases. Still, shortages persist, with more than 70 containers of health supplies delayed due to border closures.

INDONESIA
Floods were reported in at least 35 districts and cities nationwide, affecting approximately 23,000 people and damaged or inundated thousands of homes. Landslides and ground movements occurred on Java Island impacted at least 2,500 people, damaged hundreds of homes and killing four people. On 3 March, volcanic lahar floods from Mt. Merapi in Magelang claimed three lives, injured five people, left two missing, and damaged dozens of houses and several bridges. Local government agencies have responded to the situation by conducting rapid needs assessments, evacuating the directly affected people, and providing temporary shelters, medical services as well as food and non-food assistance.

REGIONAL IMPACT OF MIDDLE EAST ESCALATION
The escalation in the Middle East is having spillover effects in Asia and the Pacific, compounding ongoing humanitarian crises in the region. Rising oil prices are increasing the cost of transport, electricity, and agricultural inputs affecting import-dependent countries, including Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, and the Philippines. Disruptions in regional supply chains are particularly affected landlocked countries such as Afghanistan. The food security situation in import-reliant countries is likely to impacted, with price increases reported for wheat and critical agricultural fertilizer, of which one-third is transported through the Strait of Hormuz. Reductions of exports of ammonia, urea, and other fertilizer inputs from major Gulf producers to Asian markets led to benchmark urea prices increasing by around 25 per cent since the escalation of the conflict. Price increases on fuel, transport and food commodities are likely to impact ongoing humanitarian operations, including in Afghanistan, Bangladesh and Myanmar, with increased operational and relief supply costs.