Rakhine

In Rakhine State, the situation of IDPs and people affected by the crisis continues to be marked by threats and perceived threats of violence. For the majority of IDPs, restrictions on their freedom of movement remain a fundamental obstacle to their ability to access essential services. Furthermore, the restrictions on movement deny people their access to livelihoods, and result in an increased dependency on humanitarian assistance.

Many years of displacement has caused a deepened isolation of certain communities and risks of reverting to negative coping mechanisms, such as GBV including domestic violence, sexual exploitation and early marriage. Women and girls, and adolescent boys and girls, have been identified as high risk groups. Additional groups at risk include the elderly, persons with disabilities and children. Limited humanitarian access to the affected population compromises regular monitoring and the provision of quality protection services.

Tensions and polarization of communities continue to prevent peaceful interaction and increase the likelihood of conflicts. Furthermore, people are resorting to risky alternatives, such as illegal and precarious maritime departures, which pose significant risks to physical safety, cause family separation and increase vulnerabilities to exploitation. Human rights violations by civilian and military actors within a climate of impunity further aggravate the already hostile situation.

Kachin

Ongoing armed conflict remains a key threat to those living in Kachin and Northern Shan. Many have been displaced multiple times, while others face a protracted displacement. For those in situations of protracted displacement, the lack of access to livelihoods, educational and vocational opportunities may result in increased risks of intimate partner violence, increased vulnerability to risky migration practices often leading to forced and/or early marriage, and negative coping mechanisms by adolescents that manifest in increased drug abuse and violence. 

The violence has a disproportionate impact on women and children in both times of prolonged displacement and conflict. Children continue to be recruited by both Tatmadaw and the Kachin Independence Army. Furthermore, the regions affected by conflict witness a significant increase in the risk of sexual violence against women and girls, and a general feeling of insecurity as a result of the proximity of the military encampments to the displaced populations. Mine risks are a particular concern with incidents regularly occurring.

Despite on-going conflict in certain areas, opportunities for durable solutions are slowly emerging, some are promoted by the Government others are suggested by the IDPs themselves. Awareness raising on appropriate standards for durable solutions for IDPs to be able to make an informed and voluntary choice, as well as joint forward looking planning with all stakeholders including the IDP communities, is much needed. The Protection Sector continues to monitor and assess together with other partners specific return and relocation locations, and provides advice and training on durable solution standards to Government, Humanitarian Country Team and partners.

Protection Sector Objectives for 2015

The overall aim of the Protection Sector in 2015 is to improve a protective environment for those affected and to improve access to and quality of protection services. The two sector objectives are:

1. Protection services are improved, expanded and more accessible
2. Protective environment is improved by mitigating threats to mental wellbeing, physical and legal safety