Reeling from the combined effects of the military takeover and COVID crisis, Myanmar’s economy is predicted to experience an 18% decline, according to the World Bank. In the garment and footwear industry, an estimated 60,000 have lost their livelihoods in 2020 due to the global pandemic. 240,000 more have been laid off  since the February 1 coup. The most severely affected are young women and migrant workers who are now struggling to keep food on the table and pay rent.

As the situation worsens, many struggle to make ends meet and support their families. Repairing the humanitarian and economic impacts of the coup will take time - a luxury that Myanmar’s most vulnerable do not have.