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Story
25 July 2024
Emergency Response by UNFPA and Partners Restores Dignity and Hope for Affected Communities in Kachin amid the Devastating Floods
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Press Release
23 July 2024
ILO Myanmar launches self-paced E-learning programme on rights, responsibilities, and representation for children, youth, and families (3Rs)
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Speech
18 July 2024
Secretary-General Message for Nelson Mandela International Day
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Latest
The Sustainable Development Goals in Myanmar
The Sustainable Development Goals are a global call to action to end poverty, protect the earth’s environment and climate, and ensure that people everywhere can enjoy peace and prosperity. These are the goals the UN is working on in Myanmar:
Speech
19 June 2024
Statement by Volker Türk, United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights
Mr. President,
Excellencies,
Distinguished delegates,As we convene here in the Council, yet again discussing Myanmar, we are bearing witness to a country being suffocated by an illegitimate military regime.Myanmar is in agonizing pain.And the disintegration of human rights continues at breakneck speed.This is a crisis emblematic of a decades-long legacy of military domination, the stifling of dissent, and division.And right now, these very same dynamics are playing out in terrifying form with the Rohingya and Rakhine communities.We are hearing stories of horrific war tactics, such as beheadings.Midnight drone attacks.The burning of homes as people sleep.People being shot at as they flee for their lives.The military has lost control over a considerable amount of territory. So it is resorting to increasingly extreme measures.Forced conscription. Indiscriminate bombardment of towns and villages. Brutal atrocity crimes.Mr. President,I have just returned from a visit to south-east Asia.I had the opportunity to hear from Myanmar civil society on the spiralling regional impacts of the crisis and the urgent need for leadership and influence to halt this catastrophe.The Myanmar military continues to gain access to foreign currency and weapons it needs to sustain its campaign of terror, while international financial support for the people of Myanmar is meagre at best.But I also witnessed a profound sense of hope. In my discussions with Myanmar civil society, human rights defenders and refugee communities, it was clear to see there is a new generation of young people from all ethnic communities leading the struggle to create an inclusive vision for the future of Myanmar.In Malaysia, I met with representatives of almost all ethnic communities – together. A few years ago, it would have been unthinkable to meet with Rohingya and other ethnic communities around one table. I was moved by their solidarity and shared hopes.In Thailand, representatives of Myanmar civil society and human rights defenders from different communities and backgrounds were also united by a common sense of purpose. Their rejection of the military’s seizure of power and violence. Their demand for accountability. Their desire for a better future.These young people have strong expectations of the international community. They seek for the extent of Myanmar’s suffering to be genuinely acknowledged and given the attention it deserves. They hope that funding will be made available to those on the ground to deliver humanitarian assistance and services directly to communities throughout the country. They have risked their lives and livelihoods to help communities in need and resist the repression by the military.And with them, a future is possible.Mr. President,We are witnessing a people’s revolution against decades of oppression and violence.In some areas outside the military’s control, new local governance structures have emerged, supported by ethnic armed groups and activists alike. They are providing food, shelter, education and healthcare for hundreds of thousands who are otherwise receiving little to no humanitarian support.And they are delivering critically needed protection services in the complete absence of a functioning public system.The Karenni Interim Executive Council in Kayah State, for example, has created a local governance system, where seven members have been elected by the people to respond to the community’s needs.I call on all anti-military armed groups to ensure the protection of civilians, defectors and surrendees at all times.Mr. President,The people of Myanmar must be spared more despair, more suffering, more fear.Armed conflicts continue to rage brutally across the country, taking an increasingly grim toll on the lives of civilians. My Office is investigating several reported attacks against civilians in Rakhine State and Sagaing over recent days with large numbers of civilians allegedly killed -- in airstrikes, naval artillery barrages and shootings.I am very concerned about the situation in Maungdaw. The Arakan Army this weekend gave all remaining residents – including a large Rohingya population – a warning to evacuate. But Rohingya have no options. There is nowhere to flee.Following a similar pattern in Buthidaung, where Rohingya were ordered to flee, and then the town burned, I fear we are – yet again -- about to bear witness to displacement, destruction and abuses. The military also reportedly ordered evacuation of ethnic Rakhine villages around Sittwe, where they have been conducting mass arrests in recent days.In another instance, the village of Byaing Phyu was reportedly emptied of its several hundred residents, as the military tried to identify men of fighting age who sympathised with their armed opponent, the Arakan Army.Men were separated from women. Dozens of men were allegedly tortured, shot and killed. Multiple reports allege that at least five women were also raped and killed in the incident. Their village was burned. Hundreds of men taken away are now missing.In a cynical move, the military has pressured and threatened young Rohingya men to join their ranks. Some reports have indicated thousands of Rohingya youth have been conscripted into the very same forces that displaced hundreds of thousands of their community in 2016 and 2017.In response, the Arakan Army has exhorted Rohingya to fight with them against the military. They have targeted their communities by forcibly displacing residents. On multiple occasions, they have detained or killed men of fighting age who they suspected of taking up arms against them.These tactics have brought back the shocking images and memories from 2017 of systematic terrorisation, persecution and forced displacement of populations. Today, sections of Maungdaw and Buthidaung have been alternately burned. Ethnic Rakhine houses and neighbourhoods were set alight, followed days later by the burning of Rohingya villages.And tens of thousands of civilians from these communities have been forced to flee, among them entire Rohingya communities with no guarantees of finding safe haven. Over one million Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh are still living in limbo in dire conditions, with no prospect for durable solutions.All this, in the face of binding provisional measures ordered by the International Court of Justice for the protection of Rohingya while it examines the case alleging genocide brought before it by the Gambia and other intervening Member States. Accountability, including in proceedings currently pending before the International Criminal Court, is absolutely critical. The failures to ensure accountability in Myanmar’s past transition, are now allowing history to repeat itself and are haunting the present and the future.Mr. President,The situation in Rakhine State is – tragically – just one example of how this coup, which has resulted in three years of conflict, has brought pain and suffering to an entire country.The attacks by the military have been, and continue to be, indiscriminate.Since February 2021, at least 5,280 civilians, including 1,022 women and 667 children, have been killed at the hands of the military. At least 26,865 individuals have been arrested and 20,592 remain in detention.There are now three million people internally displaced by these conflicts, the vast majority still without proper shelter. Without access to food or water. Without essential medicines and healthcare. And so many more of the cruel consequences of the military’s continued denial of humanitarian access remain invisible and under-reported. Mr. President,The violence must end. The attacks against civilians must end. The forced conscription must end. And the denial of humanitarian assistance must end. I urge all parties to prevent the recurrence of the atrocity crimes committed against the Rohingya in 2016 and 2017.I also call on countries in the region to ensure international protection, and provision of adequate shelter, support and long-term access to essential services to people fleeing the violence and persecution. Special provisions need to be made for human rights defenders, who are particularly exposed and often face transnational threats and refoulement. Nobody should be forcibly returned to Myanmar at this time.We need an urgent rethink of how we can respond collectively to this unmitigated crisis. I had the opportunity to discuss this with the leadership of the Lao Peoples’ Democratic Republic and Malaysia as the current and future ASEAN Chair, as well as with Thailand as a near neighbour. It is time to go beyond the ASEAN Five Point Consensus that has failed to stem the violence or restore democracy. ASEAN’s efforts must be reenergised and backed by a consortium of influential States to develop a new roadmap that can restore the destiny of Myanmar to its people. This must factor in the new realities of local governance emerging on the ground that can provide building blocks towards a democratic future from the bottom up. Myanmar’s people must have a place at the table. This means reaching out to the democracy movement and youth, involving them meaningfully in the resolution of this crisis.The new generation in Myanmar – particularly the women’s leadership that has emerged - should be supported in a “visioning process” for the future of the country.With more attention, more investment, more political will and more action, this situation can be turned around for a better tomorrow for the people of Myanmar.Thank you.
Excellencies,
Distinguished delegates,As we convene here in the Council, yet again discussing Myanmar, we are bearing witness to a country being suffocated by an illegitimate military regime.Myanmar is in agonizing pain.And the disintegration of human rights continues at breakneck speed.This is a crisis emblematic of a decades-long legacy of military domination, the stifling of dissent, and division.And right now, these very same dynamics are playing out in terrifying form with the Rohingya and Rakhine communities.We are hearing stories of horrific war tactics, such as beheadings.Midnight drone attacks.The burning of homes as people sleep.People being shot at as they flee for their lives.The military has lost control over a considerable amount of territory. So it is resorting to increasingly extreme measures.Forced conscription. Indiscriminate bombardment of towns and villages. Brutal atrocity crimes.Mr. President,I have just returned from a visit to south-east Asia.I had the opportunity to hear from Myanmar civil society on the spiralling regional impacts of the crisis and the urgent need for leadership and influence to halt this catastrophe.The Myanmar military continues to gain access to foreign currency and weapons it needs to sustain its campaign of terror, while international financial support for the people of Myanmar is meagre at best.But I also witnessed a profound sense of hope. In my discussions with Myanmar civil society, human rights defenders and refugee communities, it was clear to see there is a new generation of young people from all ethnic communities leading the struggle to create an inclusive vision for the future of Myanmar.In Malaysia, I met with representatives of almost all ethnic communities – together. A few years ago, it would have been unthinkable to meet with Rohingya and other ethnic communities around one table. I was moved by their solidarity and shared hopes.In Thailand, representatives of Myanmar civil society and human rights defenders from different communities and backgrounds were also united by a common sense of purpose. Their rejection of the military’s seizure of power and violence. Their demand for accountability. Their desire for a better future.These young people have strong expectations of the international community. They seek for the extent of Myanmar’s suffering to be genuinely acknowledged and given the attention it deserves. They hope that funding will be made available to those on the ground to deliver humanitarian assistance and services directly to communities throughout the country. They have risked their lives and livelihoods to help communities in need and resist the repression by the military.And with them, a future is possible.Mr. President,We are witnessing a people’s revolution against decades of oppression and violence.In some areas outside the military’s control, new local governance structures have emerged, supported by ethnic armed groups and activists alike. They are providing food, shelter, education and healthcare for hundreds of thousands who are otherwise receiving little to no humanitarian support.And they are delivering critically needed protection services in the complete absence of a functioning public system.The Karenni Interim Executive Council in Kayah State, for example, has created a local governance system, where seven members have been elected by the people to respond to the community’s needs.I call on all anti-military armed groups to ensure the protection of civilians, defectors and surrendees at all times.Mr. President,The people of Myanmar must be spared more despair, more suffering, more fear.Armed conflicts continue to rage brutally across the country, taking an increasingly grim toll on the lives of civilians. My Office is investigating several reported attacks against civilians in Rakhine State and Sagaing over recent days with large numbers of civilians allegedly killed -- in airstrikes, naval artillery barrages and shootings.I am very concerned about the situation in Maungdaw. The Arakan Army this weekend gave all remaining residents – including a large Rohingya population – a warning to evacuate. But Rohingya have no options. There is nowhere to flee.Following a similar pattern in Buthidaung, where Rohingya were ordered to flee, and then the town burned, I fear we are – yet again -- about to bear witness to displacement, destruction and abuses. The military also reportedly ordered evacuation of ethnic Rakhine villages around Sittwe, where they have been conducting mass arrests in recent days.In another instance, the village of Byaing Phyu was reportedly emptied of its several hundred residents, as the military tried to identify men of fighting age who sympathised with their armed opponent, the Arakan Army.Men were separated from women. Dozens of men were allegedly tortured, shot and killed. Multiple reports allege that at least five women were also raped and killed in the incident. Their village was burned. Hundreds of men taken away are now missing.In a cynical move, the military has pressured and threatened young Rohingya men to join their ranks. Some reports have indicated thousands of Rohingya youth have been conscripted into the very same forces that displaced hundreds of thousands of their community in 2016 and 2017.In response, the Arakan Army has exhorted Rohingya to fight with them against the military. They have targeted their communities by forcibly displacing residents. On multiple occasions, they have detained or killed men of fighting age who they suspected of taking up arms against them.These tactics have brought back the shocking images and memories from 2017 of systematic terrorisation, persecution and forced displacement of populations. Today, sections of Maungdaw and Buthidaung have been alternately burned. Ethnic Rakhine houses and neighbourhoods were set alight, followed days later by the burning of Rohingya villages.And tens of thousands of civilians from these communities have been forced to flee, among them entire Rohingya communities with no guarantees of finding safe haven. Over one million Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh are still living in limbo in dire conditions, with no prospect for durable solutions.All this, in the face of binding provisional measures ordered by the International Court of Justice for the protection of Rohingya while it examines the case alleging genocide brought before it by the Gambia and other intervening Member States. Accountability, including in proceedings currently pending before the International Criminal Court, is absolutely critical. The failures to ensure accountability in Myanmar’s past transition, are now allowing history to repeat itself and are haunting the present and the future.Mr. President,The situation in Rakhine State is – tragically – just one example of how this coup, which has resulted in three years of conflict, has brought pain and suffering to an entire country.The attacks by the military have been, and continue to be, indiscriminate.Since February 2021, at least 5,280 civilians, including 1,022 women and 667 children, have been killed at the hands of the military. At least 26,865 individuals have been arrested and 20,592 remain in detention.There are now three million people internally displaced by these conflicts, the vast majority still without proper shelter. Without access to food or water. Without essential medicines and healthcare. And so many more of the cruel consequences of the military’s continued denial of humanitarian access remain invisible and under-reported. Mr. President,The violence must end. The attacks against civilians must end. The forced conscription must end. And the denial of humanitarian assistance must end. I urge all parties to prevent the recurrence of the atrocity crimes committed against the Rohingya in 2016 and 2017.I also call on countries in the region to ensure international protection, and provision of adequate shelter, support and long-term access to essential services to people fleeing the violence and persecution. Special provisions need to be made for human rights defenders, who are particularly exposed and often face transnational threats and refoulement. Nobody should be forcibly returned to Myanmar at this time.We need an urgent rethink of how we can respond collectively to this unmitigated crisis. I had the opportunity to discuss this with the leadership of the Lao Peoples’ Democratic Republic and Malaysia as the current and future ASEAN Chair, as well as with Thailand as a near neighbour. It is time to go beyond the ASEAN Five Point Consensus that has failed to stem the violence or restore democracy. ASEAN’s efforts must be reenergised and backed by a consortium of influential States to develop a new roadmap that can restore the destiny of Myanmar to its people. This must factor in the new realities of local governance emerging on the ground that can provide building blocks towards a democratic future from the bottom up. Myanmar’s people must have a place at the table. This means reaching out to the democracy movement and youth, involving them meaningfully in the resolution of this crisis.The new generation in Myanmar – particularly the women’s leadership that has emerged - should be supported in a “visioning process” for the future of the country.With more attention, more investment, more political will and more action, this situation can be turned around for a better tomorrow for the people of Myanmar.Thank you.
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Speech
19 June 2024
Secretary-General's Message on World Refugee Day
From Sudan to Ukraine, from the Middle East to Myanmar to the Democratic Republic of the Congo and beyond, conflict, climate chaos and upheaval are forcing record numbers of people from their homes and fueling profound human suffering. The latest figures show that a total of more than 120 million people around the world are forcibly displaced, including 43.5 million refugees. World Refugee Day is about honouring their strength and courage – and stepping up efforts to protect and support refugees on every step of their journey.Refugees need global solidarity and the ability to rebuild their lives in dignity. When given the opportunity, refugees make significant contributions to their host communities, but they need access to equal opportunities and to jobs, housing, and healthcare. Young refugees need quality education to achieve their dreams. And generous host countries, mostly low- or middle-income countries, need the support and resources to fully include refugees in societies and economies.Let us pledge to reaffirm the world’s collective responsibility in assisting and welcoming refugees … in upholding their human rights including the right to seek asylum … in safeguarding the integrity of the refugee protection regime … and ultimately, in resolving conflicts so that those forced from their communities can return home.
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Speech
19 June 2024
Secretary-General’s message for the International Day for the Elimination of Sexual Violence in Conflict
Conflict-related sexual violence is a devastating form of attack and repression, which has lasting, harmful effects on survivors’ physical, sexual, reproductive, and mental health, and destroys the social fabric of communities.Despite widespread awareness and condemnation, this grotesque crime continues around the world. The past year has seen harrowing reports of sexual violence from Sudan to Haiti and Israel. Far too often, the perpetrators walk free while survivors spend their entire lives in recovery. This year’s International be beacons of safety and healing for all those injured in conflict, including the survivors of sexual violence. These are funDay for the Elimination of Sexual Violence in Conflict focuses on healthcare. Hospitals and other healthcare facilities should damental tenets of international humanitarian law. But attacks on hospitals and healthcare facilities, and the targeting of healthcare workers, can severely limit access to medical care and psychosocial support for survivors. Women and girls who experience sexual violence may become pregnant from rape and require immediate sexual and reproductive healthcare. Men and boys may be at risk of increased isolation if they cannot access appropriate care. On this International Day for the Elimination of Sexual Violence in Conflict, let us pledge to eliminate this scourge, stand in solidarity with survivors, and reaffirm our commitment to protecting hospitals and healthcare facilities during conflict.
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Press Release
12 June 2024
Urgent action needed to protect children from child labour amid rising security concerns
YANGON, Myanmar (ILO News) — On World Day Against Child Labour (12 June) the International Labour Organization (ILO) in Myanmar urgently calls all stakeholders to fulfil their commitment and take decisive action to end child labour!The adoption of the Worst Forms of Child Labour Convention, 1999 (No. 182) marked a significant milestone in the fight against child labour. Now, 25 years on, the universal ratification of Convention No. 182 in 2013, is an achievement worth celebrating.However, the global fight is far from over. An estimated 160 million children worldwide are still engaged in child labour, with 79 million involved in hazardous work, one of the worst forms of child labour.In Myanmar, according to UN reports, the security situation has deteriorated, with 40 per cent of the population living below the national poverty line and over three million internally displaced persons, one third of whom are children. The promulgation of the 2010 People’s Military Service Law earlier this year has further exacerbated the crisis, leading to an increase of individuals fleeing conscription.Findings from an ILO study on child labour cases conducted in selected states of Myanmar indicate an increase in child labour levels partly driven, amongst other factors, by parents preferring their children to work as means to avoid conscription. This aligns with an ILO report on Vulnerabilities in Child Labour (2022) highlighting that child labour rates in conflict-affected countries are 77 per cent higher than global averages.“We remain deeply concerned by the deteriorating situation and escalation of the conflict in Myanmar,” said Yutong Liu, ILO Myanmar Liaison Officer / Representative. “More children are living in poverty, facing movement restrictions, or displacement, making them increasingly vulnerable to child labour. Children should not be victims of conflicts in any form. Instead, they must be protected and allowed to continue to be a beacon of hope for the future of the country. On this World Day Against Child Labour, it is crucial for all stakeholders to honour their commitments to Convention No. 182 and intensify efforts to combat child labour,” Mr Liu added.The ILO continues to monitor the situation of children in the country and supports partners in tackling child labour through community-based child labour monitoring, awareness raising and skills and livelihood support in the Ayeyarwady and Yangon regions, Shan and Mon states.World Day Against Child Labour activities in Myanmar
For this World Day Against Child Labour, ILO Myanmar is launching a three-month campaign starting 1 June 2024 that will engage social partners, civil society organizations and development partners in training and awareness-raising activities across Myanmar and on social media platforms.
For this World Day Against Child Labour, ILO Myanmar is launching a three-month campaign starting 1 June 2024 that will engage social partners, civil society organizations and development partners in training and awareness-raising activities across Myanmar and on social media platforms.
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Press Release
07 June 2024
Statement attributable to the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General - on increasing conflict across Myanmar
The Secretary-General is deeply concerned by the increasing violence across Myanmar and strongly condemns the recent attacks by the Myanmar military that have reportedly killed scores of civilians, including in Rakhine State and Sagaing Region. The latest incident targeting ethnic Rakhine in Western Myanmar, and the ongoing persecution of the Rohingya, underlines the need for protection of all communities. Indiscriminate aerial bombings and human rights violations continue to be reported in many parts of the country. Those responsible must be held to account.The Secretary-General calls on all parties to the conflict to exercise maximum restraint, prioritize protection of civilians in accordance with international humanitarian law and prevent further incitement of communal tension and violence.The Secretary-General is deeply concerned about the widening regional ramifications of the deteriorating situation in Myanmar and reiterates his appeal for a unified approach.The Secretary-General urges Member States and all stakeholders to engage and support his Special Envoy, Julie Bishop, in her efforts to alleviate the suffering and help build an inclusive Myanmar-led process towards sustainable peace, including through close cooperation with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and neighbouring countries.
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Story
26 July 2024
Emergency Response by UNFPA and Partners Restores Dignity and Hope for Affected Communities in Kachin amid the Devastating Floods
"It happened so quickly. When I came back home from work, my home was already submerged. The water level was increasing inch by inch. I could bring nothing from my home. My child and I were sick due to the freezing water. Our lives are already difficult due to the armed conflict. I felt desperate. I need help. Not later, but now," Lu Ja, a woman from the flood-affected community, said.In the wake of flash floods in Kachin state, the people in the community were confronted with loss and displacement. Homes and streets were submerged, and communications & transportation were interrupted. The floods, caused by heavy rains in northern Kachin, led to the overflowing of the Irrawaddy River, resulting in a flash flood that caused extensive damage to several townships, including Myitkyina and Waing Maw. According to the UN’s Rapid Needs Assessment (RNA), more than 29,000 people in both townships were affected, including 300 pregnant and lactating women. Many people, including women and children, became ill due to exposure to the cold waters, and families were forced to leave their homes with only the clothes on their backs in search of proper shelter, food and health services. In this emergency situation, UNFPA is working closely with local partners to provide essential assistance and restore the dignity of those affected. Despite the many communications challenges, UNFPA field teams immediately approached its partners to assess and enhance their safety and operational capacity and to plan the emergency response. In Myitkyina, one of the areas most affected by the flash floods, UNFPA, in partnership with the Myanmar Medical Association (MMA) and other partner organisations, provided emergency support to 322 individuals, including women and girls, within 72 hours of the flooding. This rapid response involved setting up mobile clinics in affected areas to provide primary health care, antenatal care, mental health and psychosocial support (MHPSS), as well as distributing Dignity Kits and Clean Delivery Kits for women. "Aye Aye Thein, a pregnant woman whose home was completely submerged, received immediate medical assistance from one of the mobile health teams and was swiftly referred to a hospital for safe delivery. Holding her newborn baby close, she said, "I have no idea what would have happened if the mobile health team hadn't been there. With my pregnancy due for delivery soon, I felt helpless at the evacuation site. However, the response team led by UNFPA came and helped me immediately, referring me to the hospital for delivery. They saved our lives; my life and my baby's life. Despite losing our personal belongings to the flood, the Dignity Kit they provided gave me some of the essentials to care for myself and my child. I am really grateful for the support.” Shing Ceing, a staff member of the UNFPA implementing partners in Kachin, said, “Every single support and service we provide is needed by the affected community. I still remember one of the women at the IDP camp. She delivered her baby two weeks ahead of the flood. When we met her at the evacuation site, she was helpless with her baby. Her husband had just passed away while he was helping others during the flood. Besides providing medical care and dignity kits, we also gave her mental health and psychosocial support, which was very critical in such a traumatic experience.”A touching moment took place when a pregnant woman at an evacuation site, where she had sought help, expressed her gratitude. She was wearing a longyi provided in the Dignity Kit and said, "I had nothing dry to wear, but thanks to this kit, I got what I needed for my hygiene and can now return home with the basics to look after myself." The flood disrupted community support systems and access to essential health and protection services for women and girls, including antenatal care and gender-based violence services. Among the flood-affected population, women and girls in the internally displaced (IDP) camps suffered the most. The situation in these IDP camps is particularly dire; they are not only grappling with the aftermath of the floods but also ongoing conflict. Kham Mo, a mother of three, shared her relief, "The floods took everything. This Dignity Kit helps me feel human again. It has what I need to take care of myself and my daughters.""I am in my 9th month of pregnancy. When the flood hit our camp, I felt desperate. I was frightened as I crossed the water to reach higher ground. Many people at the camp, including women and children, were sick and needed immediate healthcare. Even in normal times, it's difficult for us to access healthcare near the camp. Now, I'm so happy that the mobile health team delivered health care and provided cash assistance for referral to the hospital for delivery. They give me hope and strength.” Among the affected population by the flood are humanitarian actors working on the ground. Their homes and offices were also submerged, and their families were displaced. Despite their losses and confusion due to the flood, they helped others and prioritized the needs of their communities. As one staff member from a UNFPA partner organizations said, “Helping others in this time of need gave me strength and purpose.” Due to the impact of the flood, there is an urgent need for healthcare in affected communities. Common issues include skin infections, fever, diarrhoea, and mental health-related problems. Pregnant women require heightened antenatal care. As a medical doctor from one of the UNFPA’s partner organizations in Kachin put it, while he was grappling with the massive damage to his own home “The flood hit us swiftly when people were not ready. Affected people in the community were waiting for healthcare, including those who needed urgent assistance. Seeing the gratitude in the eyes of the women and girls we help makes all the hardships worth it. We are all in this together, and that keeps me going.” UNFPA distributed some dignity kits to staff from partner organisations and their families affected by the floods, ensuring that those who were helping others were also cared for.The critical need to ensure lifesaving support for vulnerable populations, particularly women, girls, and pregnant women, during emergencies cannot be overstated. Providing such support is vital to prevent further health complications and to save the life and the dignity of those affected. The collaboration between UNFPA and partners in Kachin strengthened the effectiveness of the coordinated humanitarian response in delivering timely and efficient assistance to the affected areas. Since the flooding started, UNFPA and partner organizations, have delivered crucial assistance to women impacted by the flood in Myitkyina and Waing Maw townships. This aid encompasses antenatal care for over 70 pregnant women, referral assistance for over 30 individuals, and primary health care consultations for more than 1,000 individuals from affected communities. Additionally, over 500 Dignity Kits and over 200 Clean Delivery Kits for women and girls have been distributed. This collaborative response of UNFPA and partners has delivered essential services and restored the dignity and hope of the people affected in Kachin. It served as a powerful example of how coordination at local, community level can make a real difference in times of disaster, providing crucial support to those who need it most. **This article was originally published on the UNFPA Myanmar Website.
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Story
22 July 2024
One size doesn’t fit all: Why gender matters in humanitarian response
In May 2024, Myanmar marked the bleak milestone of more than 3 million civilians internally displaced,[1] with active fighting in more areas of the country than ever before. Around one third of the population – 18.6 million people – are estimated to be in humanitarian need, of which 9.7 million are women and girls.[2] And seventy-five per cent of the population now live either under or perilously close to the poverty line.[3]Amid these dire circumstances – and despite severe restrictions on access, dwindling funds, and dangerous operating environments – Myanmar women-led and women’s rights organizations continue to use their unique knowledge and networks to enable lifesaving support to remote, vulnerable and marginalized people. The participation and leadership of women is critical to the humanitarian response in Myanmar – as it is in crisis-affected countries around the world. Here, using examples from Myanmar, we explain why it is so important to respond to gender-specific needs during and after crises, and to empower women to lead and participate in humanitarian action. First, what is humanitarian action?Humanitarian action refers to efforts to help communities that are in need due to armed conflict, natural disasters, or other crises. The aim is to save lives, alleviate suffering, and maintain human dignity during and after such crises.Depending on the context and the needs of those affected, different humanitarian actors can be involved in the response including civil society organizations, community-based organizations, gender experts, crisis-affected communities, national and local authorities, international and national non-government organisations (NGOs), the Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, the United Nations, and donors – each with different roles and mandates. Why do we need to think about gender when responding to crises?Crises and disasters impact people differently depending on their gender, and vulnerabilities are often exacerbated by other factors including age, disability, sexual orientation, ethnicity, or religion. For example:social norms might make it difficult for women to seek safety during a disaster, such as if they are restricted from travelling alone or staying in shelters with non-related men;young men may be the most likely among the population to face forced recruitment into the military or armed groups; and girls may be taken out of school to reduce expenses and help with extra care work, or forced into early marriage in the hope that they will be provided for. Understanding the gender-specific needs, capacities, and priorities of everyone affected by a disaster or crisis helps humanitarians design appropriate and effective responses, target those most in need, and avoid inadvertently reinforcing, perpetuating, or increasing inequalities. In MyanmarSince October last year, fighting in Myanmar’s Rakhine State has intensified. By conducting gendered needs assessments in the state, Myanmar women’s organisations have identified gender-specific impacts, including:- a lack of access to essential services for responding, preventing, and documenting violence against women due to displacements, security risks, and damage to infrastructure; and-increased gender-based crimes, including trafficking, early and forced marriages, sexual harassment and violence, exploitation and forced sex work, as women and girls bear the brunt of negative coping strategies during the crisis.How do crises and disasters impact women and girls?Gender inequalities already exist before a crisis happens. So when disasters hit, the impact of these inequalities are made even worse, leading women and girls to be disproportionately affected. Women face increased risk of gender-based violence and insecurity; restricted mobility and access to communication; additional care, domestic and livelihood responsibilities; and barriers to essential services like healthcare and education. In Myanmar“Many women in internal displacement camps are trying to solve the food problems of the whole family and struggling to do more unpaid care work, which is not highly valued.“Men occupy the management roles in the camp committees and make the decisions about response strategies, so the practical needs of women are not reflected or prioritized in the response activities.”– A female staff member of a local women’s organisation explains some of the ways women are disproportionately impacted by the crisis in Myanmar. Why is it important for women and women’s organizations to lead and participate in humanitarian action?Despite the disproportionate impact of crises on women and their children, they are often excluded from decision-making processes in humanitarian action, disaster risk reduction and resilience efforts. Yet, when women and women’s organizations are included in these processes, the responses are more likely to address the needs of all community members, ensure inclusivity and lead to more sustainable peace and recovery efforts because: their involvement ensures the specific needs and priorities of women and girls are understood and addressed;women play key roles in the household and in rebuilding communities and supporting family well-being; andtheir participation promotes gender transformative actions and challenges harmful norms and practices that perpetuate discrimination and violence. In Myanmar“We supported women in the village to lead and participate in the recovery and reconstruction activities after Cyclone Mocha, and to build their capacity including in management skills. Because of their leadership, the response activities were more efficient, and the specific protection needs and concerns of women and girls in the village were identified and responded to.”– A female staff member of a Myanmar women’s organisation. What policies or international frameworks guide gender-responsive humanitarian action?The Inter Agency Standing Committee is the longest-standing and highest-level forum for coordinating humanitarian assistance. The IASC Policy on Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women and Girls in Humanitarian Action, which was updated by UN Women in 2024, provides a framework that humanitarian actors should follow to integrate gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls into all preparedness and response activities. Other relevant policies and international frameworks include: UN Security Council Resolution 1325 on Women, Peace, and Security recognizes the disproportionate impact of conflict on women and girls and calls for their participation in peace processes, protection from sexual and gender-based violence, and integration of gender perspectives in all peace and security efforts. Learn more in our Myanmar explainer on Resolution 1325. Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) sets a broad international standard for gender equality and women's rights, which informs gender-responsive policies in all areas, including humanitarian contexts.Sustainable Development Goals 5 (gender equality) and 10 (reduced inequalities) guide global efforts to address gender disparities and promote the rights and empowerment of women and girls in all sectors, including during crises.Learn more about gender-responsive humanitarian action:Enrol in UN Women’s free Virtual Gender in Humanitarian Action training course.Read the IASC Gender Handbook for Humanitarian Action for practical guidance on mainstreaming gender equality and women’s empowerment throughout the humanitarian programme cycle. You can find additional resources on their IASC Gender in Humanitarian Action Reference Group website.If you have any questions or would like more information about UN Women Myanmar’s partnerships with women-led civil society organisations and our humanitarian work in Myanmar, contact us at: programme.myanmar@unwomen.org.
[1] Statement by the Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator a.i. for Myanmar, 3 May 2024. More than 3 million people forced to flee their homes in Myanmar. Available online.[2] Myanmar Humanitarian Needs and Response Plan 2024, UN OCHA, December 2023. Available online.[3] Poverty and the Household Economy of Myanmar: A Disappearing Middle Class, UNDP, April 2024. Available online. This article is originally published on the UN Women Asia Pacific website.
[1] Statement by the Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator a.i. for Myanmar, 3 May 2024. More than 3 million people forced to flee their homes in Myanmar. Available online.[2] Myanmar Humanitarian Needs and Response Plan 2024, UN OCHA, December 2023. Available online.[3] Poverty and the Household Economy of Myanmar: A Disappearing Middle Class, UNDP, April 2024. Available online. This article is originally published on the UN Women Asia Pacific website.
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Story
09 July 2024
A lifeline of hope
"In the midst of spiraling violence and displacement, the harsh reality struck us with full force; prices soared, rendering basic hygiene products unattainable luxuries," explained Daw Aye Tin, a mother of two who, like countless families, was compelled to abandon their homes and communities in Nan Tawt Koe village and neighboring areas in Kayin State, amidst the escalating conflict.Having fled their homes with nothing, seeking refuge in Naung Kine township has been particularly challenging, with overcrowded facilities and limited livelihood opportunities exacerbating their struggle to meet critical water and hygiene needs."Water scarcity became our daily battle, while the few toilet facilities, distant and perilous to reach, added a layer of fear, especially under the cloak of night. The impact was devastating, amplifying the hardships we faced with each passing day."Adding to their burden, Daw Aye's family situation is especially difficult as injuries suffered by her husband during an attack near their home are still healing, leaving him unable to work to support the family, compounded by two children to fend for. In addition to the arduous task of catering for her family, she constantly fears for the health and well-being of her children, with the heightened risk posed by the reliance on open water sources and the generally poor hygiene situation in the overcrowded displacement sites. Seeing children coming down with different illnesses is a common sight, stretching the already meagre resources of displaced families.
"The fear of my children falling sick is my worst nightmare, and sadly, it's a constant threat," lamented Daw Aye, her voice heavy with concern. "With the poor hygiene conditions and reliance on open water sources in this shelter, the risk is ever-present. Witnessing children succumb to various illnesses is heart-wrenching, as it only adds to the struggles of displaced families already stretched thin."
Recognizing the dire circumstances faced by displaced families like Daw Aye’s, UNICEF and partners, in late 2023 embarked on a collaborative effort to implement an integrated water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) project targeting the most affected households across Ta Nay Cha, Baw Ner Hta, Joe Phyu, Ler Moo Shee, and Naung Kine townships. This initiative offered a breath of hope to displaced families by distributing essential hygiene materials, conducting engaging hygiene promotion activities, and installing vital water filters. These efforts helped to address immediate hygiene and sanitation needs, empower individuals with knowledge and resources for long-term health, and foster a sense of resilience and dignity within the displaced communities.“This support has been a lifeline for my family and countless others in our displaced community”, said Daw Aye, reflecting on the transformative impact of the project. "With essential hygiene materials, engaging education, and clean water at our disposal, we regained a sense of dignity and security amidst adversity. It was more than just access to resources; it was a beacon of hope for our future." The UNICEF-supported project facilitated the construction of gender-segregated latrines, equipped with proper waste disposal systems, elevating sanitation standards and promoting the dignity and privacy, especially for the vulnerable women and girls in the community.
The empowering hygiene education sessions equipped community members with invaluable knowledge about proper hygiene practices, including essential skills like handwashing techniques and menstrual hygiene management.
“The project has truly transformed our community, bringing improved sanitation and valuable knowledge about hygiene practices, and we are truly grateful. Not only have our sanitation standards elevated, but we've also witnessed the wellbeing and health of our children improving, with fewer falling sick,” said Daw Aye.
Expressing gratitude, Daw Aye notes that “although life as displaced people remain challenging, with uncertainty looming over our heads, we can now look forward with optimism, knowing that we have access to potable water and improved hygiene facilities. This brings us a glimmer of hope for a better tomorrow."
With the increasing number of newly displaced people due to escalating conflict, UNICEF is strengthening collaboration with frontline national NGOs to enable the prompt delivery of essential aid to displaced and vulnerable families, including those in hard-to-reach areas.The story is originally published on the UNICEF Myanmar website.
"The fear of my children falling sick is my worst nightmare, and sadly, it's a constant threat," lamented Daw Aye, her voice heavy with concern. "With the poor hygiene conditions and reliance on open water sources in this shelter, the risk is ever-present. Witnessing children succumb to various illnesses is heart-wrenching, as it only adds to the struggles of displaced families already stretched thin."
Recognizing the dire circumstances faced by displaced families like Daw Aye’s, UNICEF and partners, in late 2023 embarked on a collaborative effort to implement an integrated water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) project targeting the most affected households across Ta Nay Cha, Baw Ner Hta, Joe Phyu, Ler Moo Shee, and Naung Kine townships. This initiative offered a breath of hope to displaced families by distributing essential hygiene materials, conducting engaging hygiene promotion activities, and installing vital water filters. These efforts helped to address immediate hygiene and sanitation needs, empower individuals with knowledge and resources for long-term health, and foster a sense of resilience and dignity within the displaced communities.“This support has been a lifeline for my family and countless others in our displaced community”, said Daw Aye, reflecting on the transformative impact of the project. "With essential hygiene materials, engaging education, and clean water at our disposal, we regained a sense of dignity and security amidst adversity. It was more than just access to resources; it was a beacon of hope for our future." The UNICEF-supported project facilitated the construction of gender-segregated latrines, equipped with proper waste disposal systems, elevating sanitation standards and promoting the dignity and privacy, especially for the vulnerable women and girls in the community.
The empowering hygiene education sessions equipped community members with invaluable knowledge about proper hygiene practices, including essential skills like handwashing techniques and menstrual hygiene management.
“The project has truly transformed our community, bringing improved sanitation and valuable knowledge about hygiene practices, and we are truly grateful. Not only have our sanitation standards elevated, but we've also witnessed the wellbeing and health of our children improving, with fewer falling sick,” said Daw Aye.
Expressing gratitude, Daw Aye notes that “although life as displaced people remain challenging, with uncertainty looming over our heads, we can now look forward with optimism, knowing that we have access to potable water and improved hygiene facilities. This brings us a glimmer of hope for a better tomorrow."
With the increasing number of newly displaced people due to escalating conflict, UNICEF is strengthening collaboration with frontline national NGOs to enable the prompt delivery of essential aid to displaced and vulnerable families, including those in hard-to-reach areas.The story is originally published on the UNICEF Myanmar website.
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Story
27 June 2024
Transforming Stigma into Strength: Empowering the LGBTQIA+ Community in Mon State
In the vibrant yet traditional landscapes of Mon State, Myanmar, where culture and modernity intersect, stands Kyal Sin Htet, a symbol of resilience and hope. She is profoundly influencing her community as an LGBTQIA+ peer educator.Kyal Sin Htet's journey has been full of challenges and stigma. Discrimination and isolation began early, stemming from her family and extending into her wider community. "I found my gender identity when I was just ten years old. As I explored my identity through my mother’s makeup, the backlash was immediate, both at home and school," Kyal Sin recalls. These experiences, marked by bullying and exclusion, shaped her resolve. "We are also human and a part of the community. Why are people not willing to treat us equally and let us live our lives freely as humans?" she questions, highlighting a poignant reality for many LGBTQIA+ individuals. Despite the hurdles, Kyal Sin found her calling in activism and education. Working with a local NGO in Mon State partnering with UNFPA, she ventured into communities, frequenting places like beauty salons where LGBTQIA+ individuals gather, providing them with not just awareness on sexual and reproductive health including HIV/AIDS prevention and resources like pamphlets and condoms, but also much-needed support on gender equality and human rights. "I have been passionate about community work, making a difference for our society," she explains. Her efforts extend to engaging family members of LGBTQIA+ individuals, aiming to educate them about rights and acceptance, though she admits, "We have a long way to go to end the discrimination."The stigmas are deep-rooted. "In our community, LGBTQIA+ people are often called 'Ah chowk,' a term that deeply hurts," Kyal Sin highlights. These challenges underscore the critical nature of her awareness raising on LGBTQIA+ rights, which not only dispel myths but fosters an open space for learning and solidarity in the community. Beyond education, Kyal Sin plays a crucial role in creating a network of support and fostering acceptance through her advocacy. She usually meets with those ostracized by their families, reinforcing her belief in creating an equal community where people support each other. Kyal Sin's message is powerful and clear, echoing through her advocacy: "Acceptance starts with understanding. We are not asking people for special treatment; we are asking for equal rights. We all have dreams, we all have the right to love, and we all deserve respect." As she continues her work, Kyal Sin Htet remains a beacon of hope, transforming stigma into strength to make a change in the community. Her journey is one of courage, compassion, and an unwavering commitment to advocating for the rights of LGBTQIA+ community. Through her efforts, she's not only changing lives but also reshaping the social fabric of Mon State into a more inclusive one. **This story was originally published on the UNFPA Myanmar Website Page.
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Story
25 June 2024
Investing efforts in prevention: Creating a legacy for future generations
"I didn’t know nurturing my children with love and care could prevent them from future drug abuse. From this training, I've learned that my approach to parenting, poor family management skills, and high-stress levels can contribute to early drug abuse. This realization drives me to make positive changes for their future,” says a mother from Myitkyina at a humanitarian camp in Myanmar who participated in UNODC's Strong Family programme under a community-based drug use prevention initiative. Stories like this serve as an example of the importance of evidence and community-based drug use prevention in the communities especially in the current situation where the poorest of the poor including the youth have easy access to drugs due to the increasing production of opium and synthetic drugs in the country together with the decreasing drug prices witnessed in 2022 and 2023.In Myanmar, the drug crisis is impacting many individuals, especially Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs). Ongoing conflicts and humanitarian crises have led to increased displacement, and drug use has become a coping mechanism for trauma among IDPs with limited opportunities. Adding to the severity of the crisis, Myanmar has become the primary global source of opium production and the center of synthetic drug production in Southeast Asia, including methamphetamine and ketamine. This, coupled with the decreasing drug price and easy accessibility of drugs, particularly among the impoverished and young population, has contributed to a significant rise in drug use. “Drug abuse has wide-ranging consequences, affecting individuals, families, communities, and society as a whole. It leads to increased crime, strained relationships, and economic instability. Additionally, the production of synthetic drugs in clandestine laboratories generates toxic chemical waste that is irresponsibly discarded, posing significant environmental risks,” says Yatta Dakowah, country manager of the UNODC Myanmar office. Recognizing the challenges, UNODC initiated an evidence-based drug dependence treatment and prevention programme in selected states and regions, including Kachin, Shan North, Rakhine, Mon, Sagaing, Yangon, and Mandalay. UNODC’s efforts also include supporting programmes focusing on substance use prevention and community-based treatment, including HIV and hepatitis prevention and care initiatives in IDP settings and host communities through collaborating with local NGOs, civil society groups, and community leaders. Despite the efforts, there is still a clear need for more effective and practical approaches to drug use prevention, especially for the most vulnerable communities like women and youth in IDP camps across Myanmar.“Substance use prevention aims to develop effective strategies to address risk and protective factors for children and youths. The primary objectives are to prevent or delay the initiation of drug use and, if drug use has already started, to prevent the progression to substance use disorders, harmful use, and dependence,” says Dr. Win Mar, Drugs and Health Specialist for the UNODC Myanmar Office. Prevention efforts have many benefits and can potentially create a long-lasting impact. Investing in prevention can disrupt the cycle of drug use by addressing its root causes and risk factors. Family, school, and community programmes provide essential support to combat drug use, benefiting future generations. Besides, evidence-based prevention is cost-effective, saving at least $10 in future health costs for every dollar spent.UNODC’s drug use prevention support in communities including IDPs across Myanmar is part of its greater effort to support local CSOs, NGOs, and community leaders in better addressing drug use within their communities and tackling the drug-related crisis in Myanmar. UNODC stays committed to working towards responses that are not only more effective but also protect the health and human rights of some of the most vulnerable community members especially IDPs across Myanmar.To learn more about UNODC Myanmar, please click here.
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Press Release
25 July 2024
ILO Myanmar launches self-paced E-learning programme on rights, responsibilities, and representation for children, youth, and families (3Rs)
YANGON, Myanmar (ILO News) - ILO Myanmar today launched a self-paced E-learning programme on rights, responsibilities, and representation for children, youth, and families (3Rs), that aims to equip practitioners and those in vulnerable populations with the tools to enhance social equality and well-being.Delivered in Myanmar and English language, the 11-module interactive course is now live at https://ecampus.iloyangon.org, the ILO’s digital learning platform. The course is also available in a downloadable offline format to enable full accessibility for those with limited internet capabilities. A certificate will be presented to participants who complete the course. Developed by ILO Myanmar in collaboration with a team of external experts, the course targets practitioners addressing child labour issues as well as children, youth and families who are vulnerable to child labour exploitation. Packaged in an interactive and visually engaging way, it allows learners to choose and combine modules according to their expertise and interest.With more children at risk of child labour in Myanmar, the 3Rs emphasizes the urgent need to understand child rights, workers’ rights and gender equality among children, youth and their families in at-risk communities and workplaces."Empowering communities through education is key to breaking the cycle of child labour. This E-learning programme provides critical knowledge and resources to those on the front lines, as well as to vulnerable families, to foster a deeper understanding of their rights and responsibilities. By doing so, we aim to build a future where every child is protected from exploitation," said Yutong Liu, ILO Myanmar Liaison Officer/Representative.The newly launched E-learning programme on rights, responsibilities, and representation for children, youth, and families (3Rs) builds upon the 3-R Trainers’ Kit and also on the foundation established by the E-learning Programme on Child Labour launched in 2022. These were designed to equip civil society partners, social workers, employers and worker’s organizations to effectively assess and address issues of child labour within their communities.Globally, the incidence of child labour has surged to a staggering 160 million[1] children, with Myanmar reflecting this alarming trend where nearly one in ten children between the ages of 5 and 17 are engaged in child labour[2].The ILO is the only tripartite United Nations agency devoted to promoting rights at work, encouraging decent employment opportunities, enhancing social protection and strengthening dialogue on work-related issues. Find more information about the ILO’s work in Myanmar........................................[1] ILO and UNICEF, Child Labour: Global Estimates 2020, Trends and the Road Forward, 2021.
[2] Myanmar Ministry of Labour, Employment and Social Security, Central Statistical Organization, and ILO, Myanmar Labour Force, Child Labour and School to Work Transition Survey 2015, 2015.
[2] Myanmar Ministry of Labour, Employment and Social Security, Central Statistical Organization, and ILO, Myanmar Labour Force, Child Labour and School to Work Transition Survey 2015, 2015.
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Press Release
25 June 2024
WFP condemns looting and burning of its warehouse in Myanmar.
WFP is providing emergency food support to conflict-affected populations in Myanmar and has assisted almost one million people so far this year. The seizure of food and other goods and the destruction of humanitarian facilities in Maungdaw undermines these efforts and must be stopped.WFP calls on all parties to the conflict to uphold their obligations under International Humanitarian Law to ensure that humanitarian facilities and assets are respected and protected, and safe and secure access is provided for the delivery of vital assistance to those in urgent need.WFP staff have been unable to access the Maungdaw warehouse since late May due to increasing conflict in northern Rakhine. The warehouse was holding 1,175 metric tons of life-saving food and supplies - enough emergency food to sustain 64,000 people for one month. WFP continues to gather details of the circumstances surrounding the incident.
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Press Release
24 May 2024
Myanmar: Growing human rights crisis in Rakhine state
We are receiving frightening and disturbing reports from northern Rakhine State in Myanmar of the impacts of the conflict on civilian lives and property. Some of the most serious allegations concern incidents of killing of Rohingya civilians and the burning of their property.Tens of thousands of civilians have been displaced in recent days by the fighting in Buthidaung and Maungdaw townships. Approximately 4,000* Rohingya have reportedly fled to an area on the Naf River near the border with Bangladesh, seeking protection. Over one million Rohingya are already in Bangladesh, having fled past purges. The High Commissioner calls on Bangladesh and other States to provide effective protection to those seeking it, in line with international law, and to ensure international solidarity with Bangladesh in hosting Rohingya refugees in Myanmar.Testimonies, satellite images, and online videos and pictures indicate that Buthidaung town has been largely burned. We have received information indicating that the burning started on 17 May, two days after the military had retreated from the town and the Arakan Army claimed to have taken full control. Our Office is corroborating information received about who is responsible.One survivor described seeing dozens of dead bodies as he fled the town. Another survivor said that he was among a group of displaced numbering in the tens of thousands, who were blocked by the Arakan Army, on the road west linking Buthidaung to Maungdaw town. Survivors recounted that the Arakan Army had abused them and extorted money from them as they made their way to Rohingya villages around 10 to 15 kilometres south of the town, where Rohingya already displaced by earlier attacks on villages had previously sought shelter. Rohingya in these areas have, for weeks, described sheltering with families they do not know, without enough food to feed their families.In the weeks leading up to the burning of Buthidaung, the UN Human Rights Office has documented renewed attacks on Rohingya civilians by both the Arakan Army and military in northern Rakhine State. As well as aerial strikes, including by unmanned aerial vehicles, we have received reports of shooting at unarmed fleeing villagers, beheadings, disappearances, burnings of homes. For years, the military has targeted the Rohingya and actively enforced draconian and discriminatory restrictions affecting all aspects of their lives.We see clear and present risks of a serious expansion of violence as the battle for neighbouring Maungdaw town has begun -- where the military maintains outposts and where a large Rohingya community lives, including hundreds of displaced Rohingya who moved to town from villages seeking safety. In this appalling situation, civilians are once more victimized, killed, their properties destroyed and looted, their demands for safety and security ignored, and they are again forced to flee their homes in a recurring nightmare of suffering.The High Commissioner calls for an immediate end to the violence, and for all civilians to be protected without any distinction based on identity. Prompt and unhindered humanitarian relief must be allowed to flow, and all parties must comply fully and unconditionally with international law – including measures already ordered by the International Court of Justice, for the protection of Rohingya. *This text was corrected on 27 May to say approximately 4,000, as there was an error in the previous version
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Press Release
20 May 2024
Comment by UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk on violence in Myanmar’s Rakhine State
With inter-communal tensions between ethnic Rakhine and Rohingya high – and being actively stoked by the military – this is a critical period when the risk of yet further atrocity crimes is particularly acute. While we seek to corroborate information indicating serious violations, I appeal directly to the Myanmar military and Arakan Army to pause the fighting, protect civilians, allow immediate and unhindered humanitarian access, and comply fully and unconditionally with international law – including the measures already ordered by the International Court of Justice for the protection of Rohingya.I also appeal to Bangladesh to once again extend protection to vulnerable people seeking safety, and for the international community to provide all necessary support.
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Press Release
03 May 2024
Statement by the Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator a.i. for Myanmar
Myanmar has this week marked a bleak milestone with more than 3 million civilians now displaced nationwide amid intensifying conflict. The figure has jumped sharply, up by 50 per cent in just six months. Myanmar stands at the precipice in 2024 with a deepening humanitarian crisis that has spiraled since the military takeover in February 2021 and the consequent conflicts in many parts of the country, driving record numbers of people to abandon their homes seeking safety. Of the 3 million people who are currently internally displaced, more than 2.7 million people fled as a result of conflict and insecurity since the takeover. It is estimated that one third of those now displaced are children whose education and futures have been upended by conflict.Escalating flighting in many parts of the country, intensified since October 2023, has contributed to this rapid growth in displacement. Sadly, civilians not involved in the conflict pay the highest price across the country with many seeing no other option but to flee seeking safety. The 3 million displaced people are struggling to survive amid a widespread humanitarian crisis that has left a total of 18.6 million people in need. This is a million more than the previous year. Those in need include 6 million children.Chin, Magway and Sagaing in north-western Myanmar continue to host the highest number of those displaced at nearly 1.5 million people, while Kayah, Bago, Kayin, Southern Shan, Mon and Tanintharyi in the south-east account for more than 900,000. Another 356,000 people are displaced in Rakhine. Access to internally displaced people (IDPs) in these parts of the country, as well as other states and regions that are hosting IDPs, is critical. Already in 2024, humanitarians have reached nearly 950,000 people in need with humanitarian assistance, including almost half a million displaced people. But this is not enough. Gross underfunding is hampering response efforts, with less than 5 per cent of requirements received more than a quarter of the way into the year. With cyclone season fast approaching, additional resources are needed now to protect the most vulnerable and save lives.
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