OVERVIEW
Throughout 2024, Myanmar experienced intense and widespread conflict, pushing the number of people internally displaced beyond the 3.5 million mark and exacerbating an already dire humanitarian situation. In December, significant developments occurred, with ethnic armed organizations seizing strategic townships – many in border areas, such as in Rakhine, Kachin, and Shan State (North). The situation remained particularly volatile in the SouthEast, which became the second region after the North-West to surpass the milestone of leaving over 1 million people displaced. The conflict continued to be shaped by frequent airstrikes, indiscriminate shelling, landmines, improvised explosive devices, and clashes in urban areas. These methods of warfare have inflicted severe harm on children, women, and elderly people caught in the crossfire. Despite continued calls for a cessation of hostilities, the situation showed little improvement. In this complex environment, UNHCR and its partners continued to focus on lifesaving interventions, delivering critical humanitarian assistance while exploring ways to adapt and optimize aid for affected populations.
According to the Royal Thai Government, over 52,000 refugees have crossed into Thailand seeking protection since February 2021 and have subsequently returned from the temporary safety areas.
Since February 2021, approximately 71,200 people from Myanmar’s North-West region have sought protection in India, with 9,302 of them registered with UNHCR in Delhi. India has reportedly intensified efforts to fence its 1,643 km border with Myanmar, aiming to complete the project within the next decade. This initiative faced strong opposition from communities, particularly due to the termination of the Free Movement Regime (FMR). In place of the FMR, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) introduced a new border pass system to regulate cross-border movement for residents living within 10 km of the Myanmar-Manipur border. The system, based on proof of identity and residence, permits Myanmar nationals and Manipur residents to cross the border for specific purposes, such as visiting relatives, tourism, business, or medical needs. The MHA also reinstated the Protected Area Regime in Manipur, Nagaland, and Mizoram, requiring foreign nationals, including those from Myanmar, to obtain Protected Area Permits before entry. Citing heightened security concerns in border areas, the MHA has also mandated all foreign visitors to register with the Foreigners Registration Officer within 24 hours of arrival. However, the Mizoram Government has urged the MHA to review this decision because of its implications on tourism, cross-border movements, and trade, particularly for new arrivals from Myanmar. Addressing the pressing requirements for food, shelter, health and winterization supplies in Manipur and Mizoram remain essential. The limited resources available to humanitarian organizations and local author-ities continues to place significant pressure on the relevant actors and host communities to provide critical lifesaving support.