Myanmar

Year-end Overview

Working environment

 In the past 18 months, the protection environment for people of concern to UNHCR in Myanmar has deteriorated. In south-east Myanmar, with limited progress in moving the peace process forward, large-scale return of refugees from Thailand is not foreseen in the near future. However, small-scale facilitated returns and an increased number of spontaneous returns are likely to occur.
 
In Kachin and northern Shan states, the escalation and geographical spread of conflict generates new – at times multiple - displacement of civilians. Durable solutions for those who have been displaced since the resumption of the conflict in 2011 remain unachieved.
 
Meanwhile, the outbreak of violence in Rakhine State in August 2017 resulted in the exodus of approximately 725,000 refugees into neighbouring Bangladesh. In June 2018, the Government of Myanmar, UNHCR and UNDP signed a tripartite agreement aimed at supporting the Government’s efforts in creating conditions for the voluntary, safe, dignified and sustainable repatriation of refugees. Considering the scale of the protection crisis in Rakhine State and until there is concrete progress to address root causes of statelessness and displacement in and from Rakhine State, comprehensive and durable solutions return are likely to remain elusive in 2019. Challenges include freedom of movement, limited access to livelihoods and basic services, pathway to citizenship and inter-communal relations.
 
In 2019, UNHCR will continue strengthening its collaboration with actors engaged in early recovery and development, including UNDP and the World Bank, to jointly contribute to creating conditions conducive to solutions to displacement and addressing root causes of statelessness, in close consultations with all communities and specialized UN Agencies.
 

Key priorities

 
In 2019, UNHCR will focus on:

• Maintaining high outputs on protection monitoring and analysis to address specific protection risks and conduct evidence-based advocacy;
• Responding to prevailing humanitarian needs in IDP camps and beyond through coordination and robust operational delivery in the Agency’s core areas of responsibility – protection, shelter, NFI and CCCM;
• Contributing to confidence-building measures through peaceful coexistence initiatives benefiting all communities;
• Providing capacity-building and technical support to the Government, communities and other relevant stakeholders for the preparation of sustainable solutions to internal displacement in Rakhine, Kachin and northern Shan and to address the situation of statelessness;
• Providing technical support and advice to the Government to ensure measures for the return of refugees to Rakhine, Chin and south-east Myanmar meet international standards;
• Facilitating return and sustainable reintegration of refugee returnees to Chin State and south-east Myanmar with particular focus on access to civil documentation; physical safety and security; access to housing, land and property (HLP); community-based livelihoods; as well as inclusion in national services and the economy.