Myanmar mandates draft; young people flee

By March 7, 2024

Myanmar (MNN) – Myanmar declares martial law in five new cities, bringing the total to 61 cities nationwide since 2021.

Brian Dennett with AMG International says, “As much as 60 percent of the country has been recaptured by resistance groups so the military really is desperate.”

Analysts say the military junta imposes martial law in areas under rebel control, signaling the new battle zones it hopes to re-conquer. “We’ve been praying for an end to everything, and it just seems to keep getting worse,” Dennett says.

“Since the start of the coup, thousands have been killed, as many as three million have been displaced, and today, the fighting rages on.”

Meanwhile, a mandatory draft imposed in late February has millions of young people on the move. “What’s happened in the last several days is like a mass exodus,” Dennett says.

“Young people are trying desperately to escape the country, [queuing in] long lines in immigration trying to get visas legally, and then others are just crossing the borders anywhere they can to get out.”

After the 2021 coup, AMG partners started a hostel for unaccompanied children who cross the border into a neighboring country.

(Photo courtesy of AMG International)

“Many of these children are alone; some of them are orphans of the conflict; they have needed food, clothing, education, and a lot of love,” Dennett says.

Now, the hostel is out of room. Expansion plans are underway, but AMG needs your help to reach its goal.

Every contribution, whether large or small, makes a significant difference in creating a secure, safe, and nurturing environment for these children. A gift of $50 could provide essential items such as bedding and hygiene items. A gift of $150 could provide furnishings for the rooms.

Help AMG International expand its Light ASEAN Hostel here.

Pray AMG can reach more vulnerable kids with the hope of Christ. “Everything we do is done with an eye on sharing Jesus, so the Gospel is being clearly presented to all of these kids,” Dennett says.

 

 

Header and story images courtesy of AMG International.


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