Amnesty International called on the US and other governments Thursday to secure funding to support education in Myanmar following the removal of USAID programs that are vital for students and teachers in the war-affected country. The organization reports that the reduction in foreign aid is already having a severe impact on learners and warns of the potential “lost generation” without prompt action.
Myanmar has endured decades of conflict, rooted in a long history of military dominance, ethnic tensions, and failed democratic transitions. The 2021 coup reignited widespread resistance and resulted in a civil war that continues today, leaving the country deeply divided and unstable, with no clear end to the crisis in sight. The March 2025 earthquakes have also worsened the situation as fighting has continued and international calls to improve the availability of humanitarian assistance have been ignored.
The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) is an independent agency of the US government responsible for administering civilian foreign aid and development assistance worldwide. Recent drastic funding cuts imposed by US president Donald Trump’s administration in early 2025 are expected to trigger a series of negative effects, deepening humanitarian crises, undermining civil society, and altering geopolitical dynamics in regions where US aid once played a stabilizing and supportive role.
US-funded education initiatives in Myanmar specifically included over $70 million allocated for educational projects in the country and provided essential services for children in remote, ethnic, and rural areas, along with online higher education programs and assistance for Myanmar students studying at universities across Southeast Asia.
According to testimonies gathered by Amnesty International, the drastic reduction in foreign aid, Myanmar’s education sector has taken a big hit, leaving hundreds of students in a difficult situation. The consequences include disruption of the learning process caused by ongoing safety concerns, diminished access to quality education, and the loss of scholarship support that offered opportunities for many students to study abroad and seek safety outside Myanmar. Additionally, there is a rise in uncertainty and hopelessness among both learners and educators.
Joe Freeman, Amnesty International’s Myanmar researcher, said:
While the US administration has falsely portrayed this programme as a prime example of wasteful spending, it is anything but. The students we spoke to describe the programme as providing a safe haven to them in times of war back home and of reinvigorating their dreams.
He also noted that if the US continues to neglect Myanmar’s youth, it is essential for other governments, universities, and donors to take action and provide needed support.