Children in Arakan State urgently need psychosocial support and safe spaces

By Admin 28 Jan 2026

DMG Newsroom

28 January 2026, Ponnagyun

Social organizations in Arakan State are calling for increased mental and physical rehabilitation, as well as the creation of safe spaces, for children affected by ongoing military conflict.

Civil society organizations have begun implementing programmes to reduce the psychological and physical impact on children living in conflict areas. In several internally displaced person camps and villages, groups such as the Ponnagyun Youths Association are conducting therapeutic activities including drawing, singing and games.

“Even when they are in school, children live in constant fear of airstrikes. They focus more on the sound of aircraft than on their teachers’ voices. To address this, we have dug bomb shelters near schools and homes and are teaching them to take cover rather than run when they hear planes,” said an official from the Ponnagyun Youths Association.

The prolonged conflict has left children deeply traumatized after witnessing violence, losing family members, seeing their homes destroyed and living under the constant threat of aerial attacks by the Myanmar military regime. These experiences often result in long term psychological trauma, leaving children in a state of persistent fear and anxiety.

“Even adults are terrified of the sounds of jet fighters and heavy artillery. For children, it is even worse. Previously, children did not even know what war was. Now, they hide in fear even when they hear a commercial flight. Their first instinct is to look for a place to hide,” said a mother from Kyauktaw Township.

Beyond psychological harm, children in conflict areas face heightened risks of death and permanent injury due to airstrikes, heavy weapons, landmines and unexploded ordnance used by the military regime.

According to data compiled by DMG, at least 88 children were killed and 109 others were injured by aerial attacks, artillery shelling, landmines and unexploded ordnance in Arakan State between January 2025 and January 2026.

“During trauma healing sessions or while telling stories and playing games, children are still startled by the sound of a passing motorcycle. Much more needs to be done. When asked what they want most, they always say they want to study in a safe place together with their families,” said a representative of the Kyauktaw Youths Association.

Under the Law on Child Rights, every child has the right to survival, development, education, protection and social participation. However, children in conflict affected areas of Arakan State continue to be deprived of these fundamental rights.