Rebel Governance in Myanmar: Earthquake Relief and the Struggle for Legitimacy
When the Sagaing earthquake struck Myanmar in March 2025, much of the international spotlight fell on the military government’s limited relief efforts and continued bombing campaigns. But in a country where half the territory is estimated to be under rebel control, a crucial story remained overlooked: how rebel groups provided aid and assisted local relief efforts in territories under their control. This research examines how these relief efforts challenged state narratives, serving as a claim to legitimacy that presents the governance of rebel groups as a viable alternative to military government.
