Although the landmark election of November 2015 signi es an important political and democratic transition in Myanmar, ongoing and unresolved con ict in Kachin and Northern Shan and inter-communal violence in Rakhine continues to affect children. More than 240,000 people remain displaced in Rakhine, Kachin and northern Shan state.
In Rakhine, over 140,000 people remain displaced by the inter-communal violence of 2012. Until restrictions on freedom of movement are lifted and peaceful environments are restored, humanitarian assistance will continue to be needed for tens of thousands of children in basic health care, treatment and prevention of malnutrition, clean water, sanitation facilities, basic education and psychosocial support.
In Kachin and northern Shan, recurrent conflicts force children and their families to frequently flee away, preventing UNICEF and many other international operators from consistently and systematically directly addressing humanitarian needs.
UNICEF continues to work with partners and authorities to provide humanitarian relief to all vulnerable communities, including host communities in remote areas of Rakhine, Kachin and northern Shan.
Overall 560,000 people, including more than 240,000 children, remain in need of lifesaving humanitarian support in the above protracted situations.
In addition, Myanmar’s vulnerability to natural disasters puts hundreds of thousands more children at risk. The country is ranked 10th in the world and highest in the Asia-Pacific region for its exposure to natural and human made hazards. Major flooding and landslides devastated large areas of Myanmar in August 2015, displacing 1.7 million people, including an estimated 572,000 children. Although most of those affected have now returned to their villages, children continue to experience limited access to basic education and heightened risk of protection violations.
UNICEF needs support to address current humanitarian needs and to also prevent and mitigate further risks faced by children in Myanmar.
- 240,000 children in need of essential humanitarian support
- 140,000 people displaced in Rakhine
- 100,000 people displaced in Kachin and Nothern Shan