“God will judge every hidden thing, whether good or evil.”
Since the 2021 coup, Myanmar has seen a sharp rise in drug production, solidifying its position as the world’s largest supplier of opium. According to the Southeast Asia Opium Survey Report released by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) on the 12th, Myanmar’s opium poppy cultivation remains at its peak, following three consecutive years of growth.
However, the poppy cultivation area decreased slightly, from 47,100 hectares (10,000㎡) last year to 45,200 hectares this year, a drop of about 4%. The UNODC explained, “This suggests that high cultivation levels have entered an initial stabilization phase, confirming Myanmar’s status as the world’s largest opium supplier.”
Last year, Myanmar overtook Afghanistan to become the leading global opium producer. While the Taliban in Afghanistan declared a “zero-tolerance policy” and banned poppy cultivation, Myanmar’s opium production surged amidst the chaos of civil war. Opium is derived from substances extracted from the poppy plant.
“With conflict continuing in Myanmar and disruptions in the global supply chain due to Afghanistan’s poppy ban, Myanmar’s opium production is likely to expand further in the coming years,” warned Masoud Karimipoor, UNODC’s regional director for Asia and the Pacific.
Within Myanmar, Shan State in the northeast, which borders China, Thailand, and Laos, was identified as the largest production area, accounting for 88% of the country’s poppy cultivation. The border area between Myanmar, Thailand, and Laos, known as the “Golden Triangle,” is recognized as a significant global drug production zone.
“Poppy cultivation in the Golden Triangle remains high, and synthetic drug production is steadily increasing,” Karimipoor noted, emphasizing, “Decisive action is necessary before the situation spirals out of control.” (Source: Yonhap News Agency).
Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the duty of all mankind. For God will bring every deed into judgment, including every hidden thing, whether it is good or evil.(Ecclesiastes 12:13-14)
God, we lift up Myanmar, which has fallen to become the world’s largest opium supplier following the civil war. Please rebuke the military that uses the vast profits from drugs to fund war, as well as those who exploit this situation to satisfy their greed, so that Your judgment on all hidden deeds may be proclaimed. Reveal the gospel of the cross to the farmers, so they may not choose poppy cultivation as a means to escape poverty. Let them encounter You, the Creator and Sustainer of all things, turn from their sins, and be transformed into people who fear the Lord, so that Your righteousness may be established in Myanmar.
Prayer 24·365
prayer@prayer24365.org
