Attachments
Description of the crisis
Since 1 February 2021, Myanmar has been experiencing a political crisis, which has led to widespread civil unrest and a humanitarian emergency that affects people in numerous regions in the country. The escalation of violence and security incidents since February 2021 has generated a significant rise in the number of internally displaced people (IDP) in the country. Recent and more historic humanitarian needs of IDPs continue to be the requirements for access to food, healthcare services, housing items and appropriate clothing in certain areas to mitigate the diverse climate conditions as people move between regions.
Despite the still mounting humanitarian needs, the ability to provide principled humanitarian assistance has been severely impeded due to multiple factors such as movement restrictions (including the need for authorizations and roadblocks), security concerns, limitations on electricity and internet access, as well as banking challenges. In February 2023, the State Administration Council (SAC) issued a six-month extension of the then two-year state of emergency with martial law established in 47 townships in Myanmar.
Armed conflicts and clashes remain present, and are escalating, in states and regions across the country. This has led to more than 1.4 million internally displaced people (IDP) since February 2021, out of the total 1.85 million IDPs (UNHCR, Myanmar Operational Data Portal, 26 June 2023). Many of these people remain in informal settlements across the country. In April 2023, OCHA estimated that 60,000 civilian properties, including houses, places of faith (churches and monasteries), and schools have been burnt or destroyed.
The economic situation remains fragile due to transportation challenges (roadblocks and insecure transit in some locations), increased demands as populations move between geographic areas, currency devaluation and rampant inflation. The prices of the basic food basket and household items, fuel, and transportation have increased. At the end of 2022, almost half the population in the country was estimated to be living in poverty due to the pre-existing impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic and the political crisis leading to loss of livelihood and employment3 . The UN Humanitarian Response Plan, published in January 2023, estimated 17.6 million people (a third of the population) to be in need of humanitarian assistance.