Children long for books instead of bullets in Myanmar

As the end of the financial year approaches, Jesuit Mission Australia is urging Australians to support children and families suffering through the devastating crisis in Myanmar.

After four years of escalating conflict, natural disasters and political violence, Myanmar has descended into a ‘living nightmare’. Nearly 20 million people are in urgent need of humanitarian assistance, including more than six million children.

‘Children long for books instead of bullets. For friends, not fear. For safety, not sorrow,’ says a project partner of Jesuit Mission on the ground.

Since the military coup in 2021, more than 3.5 million people have been displaced, with many hiding in the jungle, hungry and scared. Jesuit partners on the ground are witnessing unimaginable suffering—burnt villages, bombed homes, children orphaned overnight, and families struggling without food, clean water, medicine or shelter.

Children long for books instead of bullets. For friends, not fear. For safety, not sorrow.

‘There was an airstrike that hit civilian houses, many women and children were killed. It’s hard to even speak after seeing that,’ the project partner says. ‘There was a little girl who lost her whole family, she sat alone holding her baby brother.’

These stories are not isolated; they are daily realities in a country bleeding from years of compounded tragedy: COVID-19 in 2020, a military coup in 2021, the escalation of civil war in 2022, Cyclone Mocha in 2023, floods in 2024, and now a massive earthquake in 2025.

‘These children deserve a future free from fear. Together, we can help restore their right to learn and grow in safety,’ says Helen Forde, CEO of Jesuit Mission Australia.

Since 2021, the Jesuit Mission Emergency Action Fund has helped more than 850,000 women, men and children in 14 countries to survive devastation, crisis and turmoil.

Jesuit Mission’s Emergency Action Fund is providing urgent aid—food, clean water, shelter, medicine and educational support—delivered directly through trusted local Jesuit partners and their Church networks. As 30 June nears, Australians can make a lifesaving, tax-deductible donation to bring hope where it is desperately needed.

Since 2021, thanks to support from Australian donors, the Jesuit Mission Emergency Action Fund has helped more than 850,000 women, men and children in 14 countries to survive devastation, crisis and turmoil.