When disaster meets conflict: Bridging health, nutrition and equity in Myanmar

The devastating March 2025 earthquake in central Myanmar underscores how natural disasters exacerbate pre-existing health and nutrition inequities in fragile, conflict-affected and violent contexts, where complex operational challenges can turn natural disasters into humanitarian crises when aid delivery faces obstacles.

Humanitarian interventions often prioritise immediate relief but fail to integrate longer-term health and nutrition goals, perpetuating cycles of vulnerability in protracted crises globally.

Equity in response can be strengthened through proven strategies, such as bundled vaccination campaigns and community-based nutrition programmes, and a coordinated Whole of Myanmar approach, which together can enhance both the effectiveness and equity in humanitarian response.

Sustained international commitment and funding are urgently needed to support comprehensive, equity-driven health and nutrition responses that bridge the gap between global recommendations and on-the-ground reality in fragile contexts.