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UNICEF Myanmar Humanitarian Situation Report, January - June 2017

Countries
Myanmar
Sources
UNICEF
Publication date

Highlights

  • UNICEF has continued to address the key humanitarian needs of nearly 100,000 children in Kachin, Shan and Rakhine States, however ongoing conflict, access limitations and underfunding constrain UNICEF’s ability to reach thousands of displaced and conflict-affected people.

  • As of June 2017 over 98,000 conflict-affected children have access to psychosocial support through UNICEF and partner’s Child Protection programmes across the three states.

  • In northern Rakhine, UNICEF’s WASH programme responded to the urgent needs with family hygiene kits for 37,000 children, women and men displaced due to military operations in their communities.

  • The Education in Emergencies sector, co-led by UNICEF, remains the least funded sector for the protracted humanitarian crises in Rakhine and Kachin, with a 90 percent funding gap. UNICEF is targeting 45,000 IDP students --58 per cent of the sector target.

Situation Overview & Humanitarian Needs

Limited access and increased displacement are exacerbating the humanitarian situation. UNICEF continually advocates for access to affected populations and the provision of a robust humanitarian response.

In Rakhine State, there are 36 camps for internally displaced persons (IDP) sheltering 120,011 individuals, including 65,000 children. An additional 90,000 people were displaced in late 2016, including approximately 74,000 people who fled to Bangladesh. Precise information on movements and rumored returns cannot be obtained due to access restrictions which compromise the quality of the provision of life-saving services. In other areas of Rakhine state, humanitarian programmes continue for those displaced due to intercommunal conflict in 2012.

In Kachin State over 88,000 people, including 43,000 children, are displaced in both government and nongovernment controlled areas due to conflict between the Myanmar Army and the Kachin Independence Army (KIA). Those displaced remain dependent on humanitarian aid for the sixth consecutive year. An outbreak of fighting in early 2017 displaced 4,500 people and in late May/early June. New conflicts emerged in Hpakant, Mansi and Tanai townships.

Civilians have been seeking temporary shelter in churches, monasteries and schools. Both restricted access and limited local NGO capacity challenge UNICEF and partners’ ability to respond to the humanitarian needs.

In Shan State nearly 12,000 people, including 5,000 children, are affected by conflict between the Myanmar Army and Ethnic Armed Groups (EAGs). The volatile situation led to eight displacements between January and June, in March alone approximately 20,000 people fled to China following conflict in northern Shan. Access has been restricted to IDP camps in non-government controlled areas (NGCAs) and only for local organisations.