For days there had been speculation about a possible military coup in Myanmar - now soldiers patrol the streets of the capital. Former freedom icon Aung San Suu Kyi and many of her comrades-in-arms have been detained. The military accuses her of electoral fraud. However, the international election observers had confirmed in November 2020 that the elections were fair and correct. Nevertheless, the military has now taken power and, as things stand, wants to keep it for the next year.

It is not yet possible to predict what consequences the coup will have for our work in Myanmar . The team at Irrawaddy River Doctors team is doing well and is currently dealing with the situation calmly. Everything else is currently speculation. We will keep a close eye on how the situation develops and, above all, hope for peaceful solutions.