Myanmar
Myanmar is involved in armed conflicts against several ethnic armed organisations.1 The country’s political and military situation is volatile and numerous regions face high levels of armed violence.2 Very few people and organisations are allowed to enter the country. The territory is also affected by landmines and other types of explosive ordnance that have yet to be removed.3 Due to these ongoing armed conflicts, it is difficult to assess how ammunition management efforts will progress in the future.
The UN Regional Centre for Peace and Disarmament in Asia and the Pacific (UNRCPD) is the only organisation working on the ground to promote the safe and secure management of ammunition. Efforts have included conducting regional seminars to raise awareness, share effective practices and facilitate discussions among representatives from states on current national and regional challenges related to ammunition management. Training was also provided to Burmese security forces to share best practices for physical security and stockpile management.4
1 “Myanmar," Rule of Law in Armed Conflicts Project (RULAC), Geneva Academy of International Humanitarian Law and Human Rights, November 22, 2018, https://www.rulac.org/browse/countries/myanmar#collapse1accord.
2 “Myanmar Conflict Briefing,” ReliefWeb, February 1, 2022, https://reliefweb.int/report/myanmar/myanmar-conflict-briefing.
3 “Landmines Continue to Kill and Injure Citizens in Myanmar, in the Midst of a Humanitarian and Political Crisis: News and Events,” International Campaign to Ban Landmines, June 24, 2021, http://www.icbl.org/en-gb/news-and-events/news/2021/landmines-continue-to-kill-and-injure-citizens-in-myanmar,-in-the-midst-of-a-humanitarian-and-political-crisis.aspx.
4 “Ammunition Management Activity Platform (A-MAP),” GICHD, 2022, https://a-map.gichd.org.
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Further information
Accidental explosions
Since the Small Arms Survey began collecting data in 1979, one accidental explosion has been reported in Myanmar.
Table 1. Accidental explosions in Myanmar (1979–2021)
| Year | Location | Owner/manager | Deaths | Injuries |
2020 | Ja Htu Kawng | Non-state (actor) | N/A | N/A |
Source: “Unplanned Explosions at Munitions Sites (UEMS) Database,” Small Arms Survey, updated December 15, 2021, https://smallarmssurvey.org/database/unplanned-explosions-munitions-sites-uems.
Cases of diversion
Several cases of diversion have been reported since 2016 in Myanmar.
Table 2. Cases of diversion of arms, ammunition and explosives in Myanmar since 2016*
| Year | Location | Description |
2022 | Hpauk | The Tatmadaw abandoned nearly 4,500 bullets, 40 grenades, 18 mortar shells, 9 bombs and 6 RPGs. |
2016 | Maungdaw | An unknown number of weapons were stolen in October from border guard posts in Maungdaw. |
Source: “No Peace in Myanmar's Maungdaw until Stolen Weapons Are Recovered,” Refworld, December 22, 2016, https://www.refworld.org/docid/58f9ca19c.html; Nyein Swe, “MNDAA Reports Major Weapons Seizure from Myanmar Army,” Myanmar Now, January 5, 2022, https://myanmar-now.org/en/news/mndaa-reports-major-weapons-seizure-from-myanmar-army.
* Due to the ongoing armed conflict throughout the country and the lack of reporting, it is difficult to assess the number of cases of diversion.
Disposal
Insufficient information on the disposal of ammunition in Myanmar.
Needs
No needs have been reported for Myanmar.
Source: No National Report on the Implementation of the Programme of Action on Small Arms and Light Weapons (PoA) and the International Tracing Instrument (ITI) is available for Myanmar: https://smallarms.un-arm.org/national-reports/.
