(Yangon, 17 June 2013) One year on from inter-communal clashes in
Rakhine State, 140,000 people remain displaced, with little hope of
their lives returning to normal.
Outbreaks of inter-communal violence in Rakhine State in June and
October 2012 caused the death of 167 people, destroyed over 10,000
buildings and led to a loss of livelihoods and infrastructure across the
state. The onset of violence triggered a multi-sector humanitarian
response, with food, health, sanitation, shelter and other lifesaving
relief to people in need.
Humanitarian assistance has improved the temporary situation of the
communities displaced. Food is distributed on a monthly basis to those
in need, with nearly 2,200 metric tonnes provided in May alone. Some
3,000 latrines are now functioning. Temporary shelter for over 71,000
people has been built. However, there are still significant gaps that
need to be filled, including additional funding for camp management and
coordination activities. These gaps will be updated when the Rakhine
Response Plan is released in late July.
Restrictions of access and freedom of movement have severely affected
employment, and health and education rights. For example, about 20,000
primary school-aged displaced children have lost an entire school year,
with no access to formal education. Everyone needs to have the right to
move freely and access basic services.
Several thousand people have been displaced since the clashes, have lost
their jobs, and access to land and markets. As a result they have
migrated to the displacement camps to get assistance. Humanitarian
assistance is a short-term solution and the UN Humanitarian Coordinator
in Myanmar, Ashok Nigam, urges the Government of Myanmar and the
international community to remain focused on addressing longer term
issues; “Humanitarian assistance is a temporary measure to respond to
immediate needs. Sustainable solutions must be found to restore a
lasting peace and harmony between the people of Rakhine State.
Reconciliation between communities is the larger priority. The root
causes of the tensions that exist between the people must be addressed.
Inter-communal tensions fuel fear and resentment. Left unresolved, they
will drive communities further apart. The international community stands
ready to support the Government in its efforts to foster peace and
harmony in Rakhine State.”
Trust-building between communities and the authorities also needs to be
rebuilt so that peace and inter-communal harmony can be achieved. Left
unaddressed, mistrust will likely deepen fear. “The citizenship status
of the 800,000 Muslims in Rakhine State must also to be addressed,” Mr.
Nigam cautioned. “The consequences of statelessness for Muslims in
Rakhine State continue to have a direct effect on fundamental human
rights, and the social and economic development of Myanmar.”
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