Asia and the Pacific: Weekly Regional Humanitarian Snapshot (12 - 19 May 2025)

AFGHANISTAN/PAKISTAN

Many have left Pakistan in response to the Ministry of Interior's (MoI) decision of 26 September 2023 to enact an “Illegal Foreigners' Repatriation Plan.” UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency and IOM, the UN Migration Agency, have collated their data on the arrest,deten-tion, and deportation of Proof of Registration (PoR) holders, Afghan Citizen Card (ACC) holders, and undocumented Afghan nationals as well as on the outflows of Afghan nationals at the Torkham, Ghulam Khan, Chaman, Badini and Bahramcha border crossing points. Across Pakistan, the top three districts for arrest and detention between 1 January and 10 May 2025 are Chaghi (Balochistan), Attock (Punjab), and Killa Saifullah (Balochistan).

Cumulatively, from 15 September 2023 to 10 May 2025, 1,033,897 people have returned. The number of returns and deportations decreased in the last week (4 – 10 May; 22,565 returns and 2,348 deportations) compared to returns and deportations in the week prior to that (27 April– 3 May; 25,064 returns and 4,032 deportations). Since the beginning of April, fear of arrest is the most common reason to return among undocument-ed/ACC holders (91%) and PoR holders (68%).

MONSOON OUTLOOK

On 13 May, the India Meteoro logical Departments (IMD) declared a early onset of the Southwest Monsoon over the Bay of Bengal and the Andaman Sea. As well as monsoon being a week ahead of schedule, above-normal rainfall is expected this 2025 monsoon season (June – September) over most parts of the South Asia. The 2025 North Indian Ocean cyclone season is ongoing from April and December, with the peak chance of cyclone formations from May to November.

MYANMAR

Between 10 and 13 May, intensified airstrikes reportedly killed more than 50 civilians and injured nearly 100 others across northern Shan, Rakhine State and Sagaing Region.
In Sagaing, an airstrike in Tabayin Township on 12 May reportedly killed many children. Earlier attacks in Wetlet Township also resulted in civilian casualties. In Rakhine, airstrikes in Rathedaung Township on 13 May reportedly killed more than a dozen civilians, including children. A separate airstrike in Manton Township, in northern Shan, also caused casualties. The continued use of airstrikes despite a declared ceasefire raises serious concerns and highlights the urgent need to ensure the protection of civilians, in accordance with international humanitar-ian law.

On the evening of 17 May, an aftershock measuring 5.2 in magnitude with an epicenter 22km south of Kyaukse in the Mandalay Region reportedly killed two people in Mahaaungmyay Township. The aftershock was strongly felt in Mandalay City and other urban areas already affected by the 28 March earthquake.
The fatalities occurred when a large tree fell on a makeshift tent in a monastery, killing a father and daughter who had lost their home in the March earthquake and were displaced. ³

VIET NAM

Heavy rainfall has been affecting north-western Vietnam, mainly the Lai Chau province since 16 May, triggering a huge landslide that has resulted in casualties and damage.Media report, as of 19 May, five fatalities and four injured persons due to a landslide event that occurred on 16 May in the morning at the construc-tion site of a hydropower plant located in the Si Lo Lau commune, Phong Tho district, Lai Chau province.4