Myanmar

Recent political reforms in Myanmar have led to ceasefires between several state and non-state armed groups, but conflicts still continue in Rakhine and Kachin states. Violence against ethnic minority populations has led to the displacement of 180,000 people. Inter-communal violence since June 2012 in Rakhine State has resulted in mass displacement and loss of lives and livelihoods. An estimated 115,000 people are displaced and accommodated in tents, temporary shelters and host communities.¹ In Kachin State and northern Shan State, approximately 70,000 people have been displaced.² Because of the already low level of access to water supply and sanitation facilities, the provision of water and sanitation facilities is a top priority in both states. In particular, latrines and hygiene promotion are urgently needed. Myanmar also faces high rates of child and maternal malnutrition. The outbreak of communicable diseases and the existing global acute malnutrition rates of 3.8 per cent in Kachin and 10.3 per cent in Rakhine³ will be exacerbated by the continued conflicts. In Rakhine State alone, 115,000 internally displaced persons (IDPs) are confined to camps, are unable to access education and livelihood activities, and have limited access to health care.

Disaster data indicate that medium- to large-scale natural disasters, such as floods, cyclones, storms and earthquakes, are likely to occur every few years in Myanmar.⁴ Combined with the fragile cease-fires in Mon, Chin and Kayin and the active conflicts in Rakhine and Kachin, this means that Myanmar’s vulnerability to disasters remains high.

The situation demands a proactive approach to child protection and equitable access to services in a context where active conflicts, fragile cease-fires, conflict resolution, peace building initiatives and ongoing political reforms coexist simultaneously. Opportunities for needs assessment in newly accessible areas, responding to IDPs’ needs, demining support, and accessing non-state armed groups in non-government controlled areas will need to be explored further.

Results from 2012

Emergency funds of US$3,552,027 were received for humanitarian response in 2012, allowing UNICEF and partners to respond to the humanitarian needs of displaced persons in Kachin and Rakhine States. Owing to security reasons, the response in Rakhine commenced and only became fully operational at the end of 2012, when access was secured. In Kachin State, psychosocial support was provided to 3,803 girls and 3,481 boys through 153 community facilitators working in 47 Child-Friendly Spaces. Water supply and sanitation facilities were established in Kachin State and are also being set up in Rakhine State, where hygiene promotion has featured strongly in UNICEF’s response. Malnourished children received necessary treatments, and LLINs were provided to over 5,000 families in both states. Peace building in education was supported through the wider life skills-based education curriculum.

UNICEF funding requirements for 2013

In line with the country’s inter-agency 2013 Consolidated Appeals Process, UNICEF is requesting US$6,158,000 to meet the humanitarian needs of children in Myanmar in 2013. Without additional funding, UNICEF will face limitations in supporting critical WASH services to internally displaced persons facing the risk of outbreaks of water- and excreta-related diseases, as well as meeting the health and nutrition needs of the displaced population. The establishment of Child-Friendly Spaces is vital to ensuring psychosocial support and safe areas for children in camps, and basic supplies for primary education are also urgently needed to uphold children’s right to education.