UNICEF Myanmar Humanitarian Situation Report No.3, 2024

Highlights

• The number of internally displaced persons (IDPs) has now surpassed 3 million, with children continuing to bear the heaviest burden of the continuing violence and experiencing grave violations of their rights. Sustained humanitarian action to provide a comprehensive package of services remains challenging.

• In Rakhine, water scarcity and increase of acute watery diarrhoea cases are exacerbating pre-existing vulnerabilities. UNICEF is providing safe water through water boating and trucking services to internally displaced persons’ camps and communities. In addition, UNICEF with support of the WASH cluster, is providing water purification chemicals for the treatment of key water sources and systems to reduce the spread of infection.

• While 300,000 children missed routine vaccinations, UNICEF has vaccinated 88,043 children aged under one year against measles and rubella as of February 2024.

• The significant funding gap against the Humanitarian Action for Children (HAC) Appeal persists. Securing timely and sufficient funding for immediate and sustained assistance is crucial to avert the worst outcomes for children and their families, especially with the onset of the monsoon season.

Situation Overview & Humanitarian Needs

The humanitarian situation continued to deteriorate across the country, with intensifying armed clashes leading to further displacement, increased security incidents, human rights violations and protection concerns. An additional 200,000 people were displaced internally over the past month. More than 3 million people are now internally displaced, 1 mainly in the northwest, where more than 1.5 million people have left their homes, followed by the southeast (932,900 people) and Rakhine (356,000).

In the southeast, fighting and airstrikes have escalated in Kawtkareik and Myawaddy since 11 April resulting in civilian injuries and deaths. In Loikaw, Hpasaung, Mawchi, Demoso and Bawlakhe in Kayah state, armed clashes between the Myanmar Armed Forces (MAF), ethnic armed organizations (EAOs) and the people’s defence forces (PDFs) have also been escalating, with airstrikes and artillery shelling resulting in civilian casualties and the increasing risk of injuries from landmines. Internally displaced persons (IDPs) in Kayah need urgent humanitarian support; they are suffering from acute water shortages especially in Hpruso township in these driest periods. In southern Shan, armed conflict involving artillery shelling and airstrikes have escalated in Hsihseng, Nyaungshwe, Pinlaung, Pekon and Moebye with some casualties. EAOs had reportedly increased their efforts for further recruitment, while MAF enforced the conscription law. People displaced from Moebye, Hsihseng and Pinlaung are in dire need of humanitarian support, especially food and shelter.

In the northwest, the situation remains unchanged with continuing armed clashes and restrictions on movement and supplies. At least 5,200 IDPs require humanitarian assistance in Katha, Tigyaing and Indaw townships in northern Sagaing.

In Rakhine, armed clashes are intensifying with aerial bombardment, heavy shelling, and increasing grave protection concerns and exacerbating an already vulnerable situation. The escalation in conflict has seen huge needs emerge in previously stable areas. Armed clashes in the outskirts of Buthidaung ignited a new level of conflict in and around the town and displaced at least 15,000 people. 2 The entire population in Buthidaung are without essential services, including health care. Basic commodities and essential items, including fuel, are scarce and cash is very difficult to obtain. While many vulnerable IDPs in Rakhine are short of water, there has been an increase cases of acute watery diarrhoea (AWD) in Sittwe and Pauktaw, with most of those affected being children aged under 5 years. In addition, more than 165,000 people are newly displaced here since the intensification of conflict in November 2023. The risk of forced recruitment by all parties to the conflict is a major protection concern, particularly for the vulnerable Rohingya people. The closure of roads and waterways, restricted access, limited telecommunications and internet connections, and authorizations are hampering attempts to provide humanitarian assistance.

Data released by UNICEF on 4 April, the International Day of Mine Awareness and Assistance, showed a significant increase in civilian casualties – including many children – due the use of landmines and other explosive ordnance. There were 1,052 verified civilian casualties from landmine and explosive ordnance incidents during 2023 – nearly triple the 390 incidents recorded in 2022. More than 20 per cent of the victims were children.