Myanmar Photo: Ingrid Prestetun/NRC

FACT SHEET October 2018

NRC’s operations in

Humanitarian overview NRC’s operation

Known as the longest running civil war, internal conflicts NRC Myanmar responds to the complex crises created led by ethnic groups struggling for power have afflicted by the civil war. We support displaced people as they Myanmar since the country’s independence in 1948. encounter both short- and long- term issues. While the country works toward peace, displacement continues as a result of ongoing conflict, inter-commu- We endeavour to direct our support to the most vul- nal violence, and frequent disasters. nerable populations throughout the country. To do so, we emphasise protection in all our programming and Hundreds of thousands have been displaced since the explore ways to combine them to maximise impact – for conflict began. Ethnic minorities still agitate for inde- example, education and livelihood activities. We pro- pendence, self-determination, or even the most basic mote international humanitarian standards within camps. recognition, and the conflict continues to drag civilians through violence in most of the country’s border states. In the south-east region, we work on cross-border activities in Thailand. The vast majority of internally displaced people have extremely limited freedom of movement, resulting in dire conditions and inadequate access to basic services. Meanwhile, the international humanitarian community has very limited access to deliver assistance and protection to them. Displacement is even more difficult for ethnic and religious minorities, who are often denied their basic rights.

Chronic underdevelopment and armed conflict have NRC Myanmar destroyed homes, water resources, health and educa- Established 2008 tion facilities. International staff National staff 313

www.nrc.no NRC Myanmar Country office Yangon

Areas of operation Kayin state (Hpa An), Mon state (Thaton), Kayah state (Loikaw), Shan state (Taunggyi and Lashio), Tanintharyi region (Dawei and Myeik), Kachin state (Bhamo), Rakhine state (Sittwe and Maungdaw), East Bago region (Taungoo)

NRC Myanmar Phone: +95 (0) 950 76 084 Country director: Prasant Naik Address: 131/E2, 10 Ward, Than Lwin Lane Email: [email protected] Kamayut Township, Yangon

Camp management • vocational training in tailoring, food preservation, Working in partnership with displaced populations and motor bike repair and construction apprenticeships camp and community leaders, we promote the respect • life skills trainings that help people avoid threats of minimum standards and basic rights. Our teams: and reduce their protection risks • support for the formal education system, helping • improve leadership in formal camps and displaced children access local formal school systems people’s participation • advocate with local, national, and international actors Information, counselling and legal assistance • improve basic camp services, especially for people (ICLA) with specific protection risks Our objective is to ensure that people affected by • share information with displaced people in camps and displacement, including minorities and those at risk of outside of camps, which helps them know what sup- statelessness, can claim their legal identity and exercise port is available and when certain activities take place their rights. Our experts: • coordinate with other agencies to provide people fleeing in urban areas with shelter support and • give information and counselling on rights, laws, basic household items and procedures related to housing, land, and prop- erty, to address the problems created by an unclear and inefficient land registration system Education • help people get the right civil documents, like birth We work with communities to develop programmes and marriage certificates tailored to their needs. Our education teams offer: • work with refugees who fled across the border into Thailand, so they know and can exercise their rights • emergency education that gives short-term protection and psychosocial support

www.nrc.no Livelihoods and food security Shelter and Water, sanitation and hygiene As displacement for people in Myanmar is becoming an (WASH) promotion enduring reality, NRC has begun to think longer term. We prevent and respond to displacement with protec- We are: tive shelter and WASH for providing physical safety and protecting people from harm. Our teams: • carrying out studies to assess the viability of ex- panding current projects into a full programme • provide essential non-food items, temporary shel- • conducting business-oriented courses on basic ter options, and cash assistance for internally business planning, marketing, and accounting to- displaced people to meet their basic needs in an gether with our Education team emergency • piloting livelihoods projects that will create long- • rebuild and construct community infrastructure, like term opportunities schools, that are resistant to disasters • work with affected communities to improve shelter conditions • promote good hygiene practices for people who have been displaced

NRC Myanmar is grateful for the generous support from our donors:

MyJustice Programme, funded by the European Union and implemented by the British Council START Fund