In a desperate bid to survive relentless junta bombings, civilians in Myanmar are turning to paragliders and ultralight aircraft to flee conflict zones, according to a new report by the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners (AAPP). Since the military coup in February 2021, airstrikes have killed over 3,000 civilians, with at least 1,200 deaths recorded in 2025 alone.
Desperate Measures in Conflict Zones
The use of paragliders has emerged in regions like Kayah State and Sagaing Region, where junta forces have targeted villages with heavy artillery and air raids. Local resistance groups have helped civilians acquire these aircraft, which are difficult for radar to detect and can land in small clearings. “It’s the only way to move without being seen,” said a rescue worker who spoke on condition of anonymity. “The junta controls the roads and skies, but these small craft slip through.”
Casualties and International Response
The AAPP report details that at least 3,200 civilians have died from airstrikes since the coup, with women and children comprising 40% of the victims. The United Nations has condemned the attacks, but the junta has dismissed the claims as “propaganda.” Meanwhile, humanitarian access remains severely restricted, forcing communities to rely on improvised evacuation methods. “Every day we hear the drones overhead,” said a displaced teacher from Loikaw. “The paragliders give us a chance, but many are too old or sick to use them.”
Impact on Daily Life
The reliance on paragliders has also disrupted local economies, as farmers abandon fields to flee. In some areas, makeshift landing strips have been carved out of rice paddies. The AAPP warns that without international intervention, the death toll will continue to rise. “This is a humanitarian catastrophe unfolding in silence,” said a spokesperson for the group.
