Attachments
Highlights
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During July, UNICEF continued to support populations displaced by continued fighting in Kachin and northern Shan States.
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UNICEF provided: health services to 8,739 people including over 4,000 under five children, 955 children under 5 with SAM; reached 27,700 IDPs with life -saving WASH services; provided 23,353 children with learning opportunities.
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The Myanmar HAC has a funding gap of nearly 60 percent. As of 31 July 2018, UNICEF Myanmar has received only $8 million of the requested $31.8 million.
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In July, over 147,500 people were affected by torrential rains. Over 133,000 were temporarily displaced in 326 evacuation centers due to flooding. UNICEF provided supplies worth $107,000 to the Government of Myanmar for flood response reaching over 8,800 individual flood affected families and 90 flood-affected villages.
SITUATION IN NUMBERS
319,000 children in need of humanitarian assistance in (37% of total people in need - 2018 Humanitarian Needs Overview)
863,000 people in need (2018 Humanitarian Needs Overview)
UNICEF Myanmar HAC Appeal 2018
US$ 31,780,000
Funds Received 2018
US$ 8,018,629
Situation Overview & Humanitarian Needs
Rakhine
The situation in Rakhine remains relatively stable with activities continuing throughout central and northern Rakhine. Though UNICEF retains access to most areas, for others—particularly agencies working in Maungdaw District (Maungdaw and Buthidaung Townships)—access remains challenging. For UNICEF and other organizations who are receiving access, there are still obstacles including the limited nature of access—for example geographic limitations or time-bound access authorization. In addition to bureaucratic impediments to reaching UNICEF-supported locations, monsoon season causes high winds making several camps more difficult to access due to rough seas. However, in large part, UNICEF’s emergency and development work in Rakhine State is proceeding.
Kachin and Shan
In Kachin and northern Shan, the fighting between the Myanmar Army and armed ethnic organizations has lessened from the peak earlier in the year, but continues. For more than two years, the Government has not permitted UN or international non-governmental organization staff to travel to areas beyond government control. This continues to limit the support agencies can provide directly to beneficiaries or capacity-building support to local organizations who are assisting approximately 40,000 displaced people. In Government-controlled areas, access also remains fraught with complications and some areas remain off limits. In July, over 3,500 people affected due to on-going fighting as reported by UNICEF staff from northern Shan State. While many returned home already, others remain in temporary shelters or monasteries and rely on the support of NGOs and local communities. UNICEF remains extremely concerned about the protection of civilians in these areas—especially children. Media reports indicate that some forced recruitment is ongoing. Though this cannot be independently verified, it highlights the need for neutral and impartial international actors to be allowed access to provide “protection by presence” and to support the most vulnerable.
Flooding in southern Myanmar
Flooding and strong winds have impacted communities in Ayerwaddy, Magway, Bago, Sagaing, Kaya, Kayin, Rakhine, Tanintharyi and Mon states. The government’s Department of Disaster Management reports that over 164,000 people were temporarily displaced. Many have been able to return home as flood waters subside, however number of river monitoring stations remain above emergency thresholds. UNICEF provided humanitarian assistance to flood-affected population in Bago, Kayin, Mon, Magway and Thanintharyi through the Department of Social Welfare and the Department of Rural Development. UNICEF is working with partners to assist families as they return home and begin cleanup activities.