Myanmar Humanitarian Update No. 37

HIGHLIGHTS & KEY MESSAGES

• Amid a deepening humanitarian crisis, conflict has escalated across multiple states and regions of Myanmar during March.
• People are fleeing their homes in record numbers, with the number of displaced people reaching more than 2.8 million, including more than 2.5 million people who fled conflict and insecurity since the 2021 military takeover.
• In Rakhine, civilians are bearing the brunt of ongoing fighting between the Myanmar Armed Forces (MAF) and Arakan Army (AA), with deadly aerial bombardment and heavy shelling, including in residential areas. The violence is raising grave protection concerns and exacerbating already severe humanitarian needs.
• Many vulnerable displaced people in Rakhine are facing water scarcity as they head into the driest weeks of the year. Provision of shelter support ahead of the cyclone season is critical. Food insecurity is also a major concern with soaring prices and extremely limited market supplies in many locations.
• In Kachin, more than 18,000 people have been displaced in 10 townships since the Kachin Independence Army (KIA) launched a new offensive on 7 March.
• In the Northwest, ongoing clashes are severely impacting civilians in Kale Township in Sagaing. An estimated 28,000 people have been displaced since the escalation of fighting between the MAF and People’s Defense Forces (PDFs) in this area in late February.
• A lack of funding is undermining response efforts. The 2024 Humanitarian Needs and Response Plan, which appealed for US$994 million, is only 4 per cent funded a quarter of the way into the year. Additional resources are urgently needed to assist 5.3 million people in need and replenish depleted supplies ahead of the cyclone season.

KEY FIGURES*

2.8M Total people currently internally displaced across Myanmar

2.5M People currently displaced by clashes and insecurity since February 2021

289K People who remain internally displaced due to conflict prior to February 2021, mainly in Rakhine, Kachin, Chin, and Shan

4% FUNDED The 2024 Humanitarian Needs and Response Plan has received $41M against the $994M appeal.

*Displacement figures fluctuate during any given month. These figures represent the number of people currently verified as displaced. Cumulative numbers for returns and displacement are not always available

SITUATION OVERVIEW

Expanding conflict and displacement across the country

The security situation in Myanmar continues to deteriorate, with armed clashes taking place in many parts of the country. In the first quarter of 2024, fighting has intensified particularly in Rakhine, Kachin, Sagaing and the Southeast. Conflict, involving the deployment of heavy weapons, aerial bombardment and shooting, has driven a surge in displacement, civilian casualties, protection risks, and humanitarian needs. More than 2.8 million men, women and children are internally displaced, with the vast majority – more than 2.5 million – forced from their homes by conflict and insecurity since the 2021 military takeover. With changes in territorial control in many parts of the country since the escalation in conflict last October, the access and response environment has become more complex. Advocacy continues with all duty bearers to support an expansion of humanitarian access and to themselves provide assistance to people in need in their respective areas of control.