Myanmar

Overview

At least 941,000 people in Myanmar are in need of assistance. The driver of humanitarian needs is the longstanding conflict between the Myanmar Army and various ethnic armed groups. ? 

In Rakhine conflict escalated in August 2017 when ARSA fighters attacked police and military posts. The army retaliated with a violent crackdown against the Rohingya population, causing over 700,000 people to flee to neighbouring Bangladesh, adding to the approximately 200,000 refugees that were already living in Cox’s Bazar. Almost 128,000 people are still living in IDP camps in Rakhine, as of 31 January. ? Additionally, since January 2019 fighting between the Myanmar Army and the Arakan Army has escalated in northern Rakhine. By 6 April 2019, some 27,000 people have been newly displaced, and are living in temporary shelters in Ponnakyun, Kyauktaw, Mrauk-U, Minbya, Rathedaung, and Buthidaung townships.  ?

About 105,138 people are internally displaced in northern Shan and Kachin states due to conflict. Almost 38,000 people, or 35% of the IDPs, live in non-government-controlled areas, where access is limited or restricted. ?

For 2019, INFORM measures Myanmar's risk of humanitarian crisis and disaster at 6.6/10. The country scored particularly high in the "Hazard and exposure" category, at 8.6/10. 

Latest Developments

26/03/2020: An increase in IDPs and civilian casualties is reported in Paletwa township, Chin state, as clashes between the Arakan Army and Myanmar Armed Forces (Tatmadaw) continue to intensify. Between 14-16 March, more than 40 civilians were killed or injured, including 21 civilians killed when military fighter jets opened fire on four villages. At least 2,000 people from 10 villages fled to Samee, a nearby town. Since January 2020, the estimated number of displaced people in Chin State has risen from 1,800 to 4,000. Paletwa township faces extreme restrictions on access, and has been completely blocked from trade and humanitarian assistance in recent months due to increased fighting in the area. Food shortages, lack of access to healthcare, displacement, and protection concerns are extremely high. Conflict in Rakhine and Chin has left more than 65,000 people living in displacement, a 25% increase since January 2020.?

11/03/2020: Approximately 600 people were displaced between 27 February and 08 March in southern Shan state when clashes broke out between the Restoration Council of Shan State/Shan State Army and the Tatmadaw. The displacement was temporary, and most have returned to their villages. While conflict is active in northern Shan, clashes and displacement in the south is rare. The last displacement episode occurred in the same area 12 months ago.?

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