Myanmar Domestic News Updates – April 18, 2025 Evening
๐๐ 1. NUG Prime Minister and ASEAN Chair Malaysian Prime Minister Discuss Strengthening ASEAN Relations and Humanitarian Assistance for the People of Myanmar
April 18
The National Unity Government (NUG) has announced that its Prime Minister and the Prime Minister of Malaysia, who currently serves as the Chair of ASEAN, held talks aimed at strengthening relations with ASEAN member states and delivering humanitarian assistance to the people of Myanmar.
According to the official announcement released today by the NUG, Prime Minister of the National Unity Government, Mahn Winn Khaing Thann, and Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim held an online meeting on April 18.
During this teleconference, the two leaders discussed, in an open and cordial manner, how to enhance cooperation and communication with ASEAN and its member states, as well as how to effectively distribute humanitarian aid to the people of Myanmar, the NUG stated.
It is also noted that Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, in his capacity as ASEAN Chair, met with the junta leader Min Aung Hlaing in Bangkok, Thailand, on April 17.
Regarding this meeting, the Malaysian Prime Minister announced on his social media account that discussions included urgent humanitarian assistance for earthquake victims in Myanmar and efforts toward restoring peace and stability in the country.
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๐๐ 2. Yangon University Students’ Union Dissolves Itself, Declares Continued Political Commitment
April 18
The Yangon-based University Students' Union (USU-Yangon) has officially announced its dissolution while affirming that it will continue to shoulder political leadership responsibilities under a new structure.
In an official statement dated April 17, the USU-Yangon informed students and the broader public of its decision to dissolve and transfer its political leadership role to relevant stakeholders.
The statement highlights that since the military coup on February 1, 2021, USU-Yangon had taken a stand against the junta by organizing peaceful resistance movements and later forming the Student Armed Force (SAF) to participate in the armed resistance. Over the course of more than four years, members of the union have been subjected to arbitrary arrests, brutal torture, imprisonment, death, and physical disabilities inflicted by the military regime.
The USU-Yangon, which was composed of various university student unions, stated that it had grown increasingly disconnected from the broader student body. Therefore, during an emergency conference held on March 21, a decision was made to return representative authority to the relevant student groups and formally dissolve the Yangon-based University Students’ Union.
Although the Union has now been dissolved, it stressed that student unions under its umbrella remain firmly committed to the revolution, standing alongside the people in the ongoing struggle.
The USU-Yangon further emphasized that while it had served as the mother organization providing political leadership for the SAF during the past four years, the revolutionary journey ahead demands a more unified and stronger organizational structure. As such, the SAF and student forces will continue the fight by assuming political leadership roles under a new framework and marching forward in unity with the people.
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๐๐ 3. Nearly 2,000 Schools Damaged by Earthquake in Myanmar, Leaving Millions of Children Without Classrooms or Teachers
April 18
According to UN OCHA Myanmar, the recent powerful earthquake has damaged or destroyed nearly 2,000 schools across Myanmar, leaving millions of children without classrooms or access to teachers.
“Due to the recent earthquake, nearly 2,000 schools in Myanmar have been affected. Many of these schools are now being used as temporary shelters for families who lost everything. As a result, millions of children have been left without classrooms or teachers. They now lack even the most basic learning and recreational materials. These children are at serious risk of losing the opportunity to regain access to education and a sense of normalcy in their lives,” UN OCHA stated.
Humanitarian partners are working to assist approximately 110,000 of the most severely affected children, aiming to provide safe learning spaces, teacher training, and essential teaching materials.
The 7.7 magnitude earthquake struck the Sagaing region on the afternoon of March 28, claiming the lives of more than 3,000 people.
This news report was submitted by Radio NUG correspondents Tharki and Ko Khant.
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