Attachments
OPERATIONAL CONTEXT
Four years on, generalized violence, human rights violations, localized inter-communal tensions, and institutionalized discrimination remain major drivers of the humanitarian and protection crisis in Myanmar. According to the United Nations, as of end March 2025, an estimated 3.6 million internally displaced people (IDPs) were reported across the country, including 3.2 million since the military takeover in February 2021. The humanitarian situation remains dire, with increasing needs across many parts of the country, particularly access to basic services. Despite these challenges, UNHCR and partners continue to explore ways to adapt to the volatile situation to respond to the most urgent and unmet needs of forcibly displaced and stateless people in the country.
In Bangladesh, UNHCR operates in an evolving landscape shaped by political, social, environmental and security shifts. Ongoing conflict and persecution in Myanmar’s Rakhine State continues to drive people to seek safety in Bangladesh but the country’s closedborder policy hinders safe access to asylum. On 31 December 2024, the Government of Bangladesh approved new measures for identifying new arrivals in the camps and introduced materials for safer shelter construction, marking a positive development in response efforts. While Bangladesh continues to maintain its commitment to hosting refugees, the humanitarian response faces growing challenges, particularly due to a reduction in funding. This decrease in support for NGOs and partners has impacted key services and slowed progress toward durable solutions for the Rohingya.
Since the military takeover in Myanmar, India has strengthened security measures along its north-eastern border in response to concerns over transnational crimes, including human trafficking, arms smuggling, and the illicit drug trade. The suspension of the free-movement regime in December 2024 led to the introduction of a border pass system in Manipur and Mizoram, requiring residents within 10 km of the India-Myanmar border to obtain passes for stays of up to seven days, with proof of identity and residence. There were increased border patrols and surveillance during the reporting period, prompting some Myanmar arrivals to temporarily leave settlements for fear of arrest and detention.