Nearly four years since the unjust military coup in Myanmar, the number of persons with disabilities has increased significantly, according to a statement released by the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Disaster Management (MOHADM) on December 3, marking the International Day of Persons with Disabilities.
A report from the World Health Organization (WHO) reveals that 10% of the global populationโapproximately 600 million peopleโare persons with disabilities, with 80% of them residing in developing countries. In Myanmar, according to the 2019 Inter-Censal Survey, 12.8% of the population, or approximately 5.9 million people, live with disabilities.
The MOHADM noted that the attempted military coup on February 1, 2021, has created widespread social challenges throughout Myanmar. As a result, the number of persons with disabilities is expected to continue rising.
Currently, civilian injuries from military juntaโs attacks, including airstrikes, artillery shelling, and landmine explosions, have caused many young people and civilians to suffer life-altering disabilities, such as amputations and severe physical trauma.
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