Displacement from Myanmar: How we got here and what more can be done is an expert commentary paper written and published in partnership with the Asia Displacement Solutions Platform (ADSP) as part of their Supporting Humanitarian and Refugee Protection in Asia (SHARP-Asia) Project.
The paper aims to unpack the current situation facing those displaced from Myanmar and offer policy proposals to improve their lives in displacement, while working towards supporting conditions in Myanmar becoming safe for repatriation in the future.
It was written by CPD’s Indo-Pacific Program director Caitlin McCaffrie and Dr Nyi Nyi Kyaw, Research Chair on Forced Displacement in Southeast Asia at Chiang Mai University’s Regional Center for Social Science and Sustainable Development.
Displacement from Myanmar: How we got here and what more can be done looks at the displacement and forced migration crisis in Myanmar and offers a set of practical policies to address these issues.
Deteriorating Conditions in Myanmar: The situation in Myanmar continues to decline, with escalating conflicts, human rights abuses, and a lack of political stability undermining any prospects for safe, voluntary repatriation. The environment remains hostile and unsafe for returnees, making the idea of going back a distant possibility for many who have fled. This ongoing turmoil not only hampers efforts towards creating a safe space for repatriation but also exacerbates the plight of those still within the country’s borders, further fueling the cycle of displacement.
Inconsistent or Lack of Access to Services for Displaced Individuals: Displaced persons residing in neighboring countries often find themselves in precarious situations due to erratic or entirely absent access to critical services such as healthcare, education, and legal assistance. This lack of support exacerbates their vulnerability, hindering their ability to rebuild their lives in host countries. The inconsistency in service provision can be attributed to various factors, including policy gaps, resource constraints, and varying levels of commitment to refugee welfare among host nations.
Absence of Regional Level Coordination or Leadership on Refugee Protection: There is a significant gap in regional cooperation and leadership concerning the protection and support of refugees. This vacuum in coordinated action leads to disjointed efforts and inefficiencies in addressing the needs of displaced populations. The absence of a unified regional strategy for refugee protection results in missed opportunities for collective problem-solving, sharing of best practices, and mobilizing resources, ultimately impacting the effectiveness of responses to the refugee crisis.
