What we do
Rakhine State is one of the poorest states in Myanmar, with children across the state facing a myriad of challenges. In northern Rakhine, first-hand information has been difficult to obtain for the UN due to access restrictions. However, the recent assessments conducted by UNHCR and UNDP have revealed a population living very precariously, with limited access to food, livelihoods and means to access the basic necessities. The poor nutritional status of many children has worsened in areas without access to therapeutic nutrition services, which are only now being re-established.
Conditions in central Rakhine remain difficult, particularly for the Muslim population which has largely been confined to Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camps since the inter-communal violence of 2012. Some 128,000 Muslims remain in these camps, or camp-like settings, with children making up around 53 per cent of the population.
Key results in 2018:
- Despite limited access in some areas, UNICEF and partners were able to reach 2,160 children under 5 suffering from Severe Acute Malnutrition with lifesaving therapeutic nutrition treatment and continue building local Government capacity in the Integrated Management of Acute Malnutrition (IMAM) and community-based Infant and Young Child Feeding (cIYCF) as part of the essential health services package in Myanmar.
- UNICEF supported the training of cold chain personnel, the construction of a sub-depot in the state capital Sittwe and successfully piloted a harmonized paper-based logistics management information system.
- 5,940 children aged 9-18 months were immunized against measles.
- Through UNICEF’s Rakhine Health System Strengthening initiative, the multi-donor 3MDG health fund was mobilized to scale up the Facility-based integrated Management of Neonatal and Childhood illness (F-IMNCI) training for hospital staff across all 17 townships in Rakhine State.
- Using the whole state approach, 69,990 children aged 3-17 years across the Rakhine State received education and recreational materials.
- Over 65,000 Maternal and Child Cash Transfer (MCCT) beneficiaries were reached in all townships and IDP camps.
