Myanmar Faces “Polycrisis” Five Years After Coup, Says Cardinal Charles Bo
May 12, 2026 | Burma Independent Voice
Five years after the military coup, Myanmar is grappling with a “polycrisis”—a convergence of economic, social, and humanitarian disasters—according to Cardinal Charles Bo, the Archbishop of Yangon. He shared these remarks during a conference of Catholic bishops in Sydney, Australia.
The Cardinal noted that basic healthcare and education systems have collapsed across much of the country, while over 3.5 million people remain internally displaced. This figure represents a sharp increase from 2024, reflecting the worsening intensity of the conflict.
The suffering of the people was further compounded by a massive 7.7-magnitude earthquake in March 2025, which claimed thousands of lives. Cardinal Bo described the aftermath of that natural disaster as “scenes resembling an apocalypse,” adding another layer of trauma to the ongoing political crisis initiated by the 2021 coup.
He highlighted that the daily lives of Myanmar’s youth are characterized by insecurity, psychological stress, and a loss of faith in the future. However, he offered words of encouragement, stating, “We remain a people of hope.”
Cardinal Bo expressed gratitude to the Catholic Mission in Australia for its continued support, emphasizing that such aid ensures the people of Myanmar do not feel forgotten by the global church.
The Cardinal’s personal history is also tied to the devastation; his home village of Mon Hla in Khin-U Township, Sagaing Region, was among the many areas targeted by junta airstrikes and arson attacks following the 2021 takeover.
Notably, in the early stages of the coup, Cardinal Charles Bo drew international attention and domestic criticism for inviting junta leader Min Aung Hlaing to the Catholic cathedral in Yangon to celebrate Christmas together.
