UNHCR’s Grandi calls for increased aid access and funding for Myanmar’s forgotten crisis

GENEVA - UN High Commissioner for Refugees, Filippo Grandi, on Thursday completed a three-day visit to Myanmar, where he witnessed the grave consequences of unrelenting violence and conflict that have left millions displaced and without homes.

"The suffering of millions of people across Myanmar is immense. With aerial bombardments, destruction of property, and forced recruitment, they live in daily fear for their lives. Communities have fled again and again in search of safety. Civilian men, women and children must be protected from violence, and solutions found so that they can choose to return home in safety and dignity," Grandi said.

The High Commissioner visited communities affected by the devastating earthquake in March this year and spoke with internally displaced and stateless people. In Nay Pyi Taw, he urged wider humanitarian access and discussed solutions for the forcibly displaced.

"Millions of people forcibly displaced within the country and as refugees throughout the region want nothing more than to be able to return home. They demand - and are entitled to - the safety and security that comes with peace.

"All parties - with the support of the international community - must engage seriously to find solutions to their plight. This is particularly needed for the Rohingya, who have not only been attacked and displaced, but deprived of their basic rights for far too long," said Grandi.

Later this month in New York, Grandi will attend a high-level conference on the situation of Rohingya and other minorities in Myanmar, calling for greater regional and international efforts to create conditions for voluntary, safe, dignified and sustainable returns. In the meantime, Grandi called for much greater financial support from the international community to help people in Myanmar and refugees throughout the region.

As part of a wider humanitarian response, UNHCR works with other UN agencies, NGO partners and communities in Myanmar, providing assistance to address the basic needs, physical safety and well-being of forcibly displaced and stateless people and promoting peaceful coexistence with host communities. But access remains constrained in many areas, cutting communities off from vital humanitarian aid.

UNHCR requires $88.3 million to fund its response in Myanmar this year, but has so far received just 33 per cent of that total. The UN-wide Myanmar Humanitarian Needs and Response Plan 2025, including the earthquake addendum, is only funded at 22 per cent of a required $1.4 billion.

Media contacts

• In Yangon, Diogo Alcantara, [email protected], +95 9 880 894 695
• In Bangkok, Mariko Hall, [email protected], +66 6 300 32028
• In Geneva, Babar Baloch, [email protected], +41 79 513 9549

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