CHANGES IN CONTEXT (SINCE JANUARY 2015)
In Kachin and northern Shan states, the number of displaced people increased to over 100,000 due to resumption of conflict in some areas. The protracted nature of the displacement, compounded by disruption of cross-line missions in the first half of 2015, has led to renewed humanitarian needs and increased vulnerability. Increased advocacy with the Government for sustained access to areas beyond the Government control remains a priority for the second half of 2015.
In the Kokang Self-Administered Zone, conflict between the Myanmar army and the Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army (MNDAA) continued but reportedly abated in some areas after MNDAA’s announcement of a unilateral ceasefire on 11 June. Some displaced people are reported to have returned but according to the Government, some 70,000 people still remained displaced at the end of June. The Government has indicated that the main humanitarian needs of returnees are food and shelter. The Government has identified three main areas as reception centres for returnees (Tar Shwe Htan, Par Sin Kyaw, Laukkaing) and continues to provide assistance, particularly food and NFIs.
In Rakhine State, over 130,000 people remain displaced as a result of the violence that erupted in 2012. Continued inter-communal tensions, as well as ongoing restrictions on the freedom of movement of Muslims and on their access to basic services such as health and education, continue to cause hardship. Restrictions on freedom of movement also make it difficult for people to resume livelihood activities. There were however some positive developments during the second quarter. The Rakhine State Government, with some support from the UN and other international organizations, has lead an exercise to facilitate the return (or in some cases relocation) of nearly 2,000 families (approximately 10,000 people) through provision of cash grants or building materials. IDPs who were until now living in long-houses have returned to their original plots and built their own individual temporary houses, or, for those not yet able to return to their places of origin, to relocate or build individual houses in their places of current displacement. During the second quarter there was a great deal of media coverage of the ongoing irregular migration through the Bay of Bengal of people from both Rakhine and Bangladesh. In May 2015, the Myanmar Navy rescued two boats with more than 900 people off the coast of Rakhine State and Ayeyarwaddy Region. While the verification process is going on, State authorities, with support from the UN and INGOs, have been providing assistance and facilitating the return of these people to their home.
In Meikhtila (Mandalay Region), most of the 3,300 people still displaced at the end of 2014 have now been resettled with support from the Union Government. All IDP camps in Meikhtila have now been closed.