Assistance to Refugees and Displaced Populations in Burma - UNHCR Appeal 2013

October 2013 - Burma experiences frequent natural disasters such as cyclones floods drought and earthquakes and there has also been decades of low-intensity conflict between the Burmese army and the minority ethnic independence movements. The ongoing conflict and the regularly occurring natural disasters have created a challenging humanitarian situation in Burma. More than 650 000 people are internally displaced having been forced to move away from their homes due to conflict and more than 350 000 Burmese refugees are living in neighbouring countries. With DFATD’s support the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees’ (UNHCR) 2013 emergency operations in Burma provide protection and emergency assistance to an estimated 500 000 conflict-affected people in Rakhine and Kachin states with a focus on people who have been displaced from their homes or who are stateless. Some project activities include providing basic services such as access to shelter and clothing essential services such as adequate water and sanitation services and protection for vulnerable people.

The expected outputs for this project include: (i) basic services (drinking water shelter and relief items) and protection are provided to up to 115 000 internally displaced people in Rakhine State up to 85 000 internally displaced people in Kachin State and returnees in south-east Burma; (ii) protection monitoring of up to 230 000 displaced people in south-east Burma is undertaken; and (iii) efforts to reduce statelessness in Burma are undertaken through advocacy monitoring and providing appropriate training to government authorities. The expected intermediate outcome is reduced vulnerability of crisis-affected people especially women and children.