• Burmese
Friday, July 11, 2025
No Result
View All Result
NEWSLETTER
The Irrawaddy
26 °c
Yangon
  • Home
  • News
    • Burma
    • Politics
    • World
    • Asia
    • Myanmar’s Crisis & the World
    • Ethnic Issues
    • War Against the Junta
    • Junta Cronies
    • Conflicts In Numbers
    • Junta Watch
    • Fact Check
    • Investigation
    • Myanmar-China Watch
    • Obituaries
  • Politics
  • Business
  • Opinion
    • Commentary
    • Guest Column
    • Analysis
    • Editorial
    • Stories That Shaped Us
    • Letters
  • Junta Watch
  • Ethnic Issues
  • War Against the Junta
  • In Person
    • Interview
    • Profile
  • Books
  • Donation
  • Home
  • News
    • Burma
    • Politics
    • World
    • Asia
    • Myanmar’s Crisis & the World
    • Ethnic Issues
    • War Against the Junta
    • Junta Cronies
    • Conflicts In Numbers
    • Junta Watch
    • Fact Check
    • Investigation
    • Myanmar-China Watch
    • Obituaries
  • Politics
  • Business
  • Opinion
    • Commentary
    • Guest Column
    • Analysis
    • Editorial
    • Stories That Shaped Us
    • Letters
  • Junta Watch
  • Ethnic Issues
  • War Against the Junta
  • In Person
    • Interview
    • Profile
  • Books
  • Donation
No Result
View All Result
The Irrawaddy
No Result
View All Result
Home News Burma

Unicef Highlights Plight of Burma’s IDPs, Vulnerable Children

The Irrawaddy by The Irrawaddy
April 2, 2014
in Uncategorized
Reading Time: 3 mins read
0 0
A A
Unicef Highlights Plight of Burma’s IDPs

Displaced Rohingya woman sits with her child outside a temporary camp in Pauktaw Township

4.2k
VIEWS
Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

RANGOON — More than 800,000 internally displaced persons (IDPs) in Burma are facing a variety of critical humanitarian needs, according to Unicef, which found that one in three IDPs are children vulnerable to malnutrition and a host of knock-on effects.

Unicef is hosting a two-day National Conference on Faith for Children in Burma, where the UN body on Wednesday highlighted the situation of IDPs in Arakan and Kachin states, regions where conflict has displaced some 140,000 and 90,000 people, respectively

Buddhist, Christian, Islamic and Hindu leaders were among more than 100 attendees of the two-day conference, which will conclude in Rangoon on Thursday.

RelatedPosts

Anti-Coup Icon Explains Urgent Call for NUG Reform

Anti-Coup Icon Explains Urgent Call for NUG Reform

July 11, 2025
48
Myanmar Junta Chief Thanks Trump for Shutting Down VOA and RFA

Myanmar Junta Chief Thanks Trump for Shutting Down VOA and RFA

July 11, 2025
222
KIA Denies Rumor Chief Under House Arrest in China

KIA Denies Rumor Chief Under House Arrest in China

July 11, 2025
234

Penelope Campbell, who heads the child survival and development unit of Unicef, told The Irrawaddy on the sidelines of the conference that people in Arakan State were suffering the most extreme hardship, after religious conflict between Buddhists and Muslims in the region pushed many people out of their homes and into temporary camps where conditions are poor.

About 1.4 percent of Burma’s entire population, some 834,000 people, have been displaced as a result of ethnic or religious conflict over the years, according to Unicef.

In Arakan State, members of both the ethnic Arakanese and the minority Muslim Rohingya communities have been displaced, though Rohingya have suffered the brunt of the upheaval. Of 138,000 IDPs in the state, 115,000 have nutritional needs, according to Unicef. Among the IDP population in Kachin State, 20,000 people face similar dietary deficiencies.

Liza Barrie, chief of the Civil Society Partnerships Program at Unicef, said children faced the greatest risks, with far-reaching implications.

“Malnutrition in early childhood has long-lasting impacts, not only for a child, but on a nation’s economic performance,” Barrie said. “The first 1,000 days between the start of pregnancy and a child’s second birthday is a critical window of opportunity to prevent the irreversible and life-long damage caused by malnutrition, including a condition called stunting.”

Campbell said a key factor contributing to the problem was a lack of opportunities to make a living among displaced populations.

“People’s ability to obtain their livelihoods through any means, whether it be farming or other means, has been impacted by being displaced and living in camps. That is one factor. Malnutrition and poverty have resulted,” she explained, adding that in northern Arakan State, the isolation of some villages exacerbated the humanitarian woes of vulnerable populations, such as those in Maungdaw and Buthidaung townships.

The situation in Kachin State is relatively less severe in terms of malnutrition, Campbell said, while adding that access to populations, and thus reliable data, remained difficult.

“I think a key solution is to make sure these children have access to good food, and this goes for the mother as well, because as we highlighted earlier, from the moment of conception and especially that first three months of the pregnancy, it is really, really important for the mother to be well nourished. Otherwise it has irreversible development on the fetus,” she said, adding that access to education and health services were also essential in allowing IDPs to “transform their situation.”

Nearly 190,000 children in Arakan State lack access to education, and almost 60,000 are similarly disenfranchised in Kachin State.

Staff from UN agencies and several NGOs left Arakan State last week, citing safety concerns after their offices were attacked by Buddhist mobs. The medical aid organization Medecins Sans Frontieres was forced to shutter its operations in late February. Amid the dwindling humanitarian presence, aid groups have said IDPs in the state will face food and water shortages in the coming weeks.

“My concerns over the last week or two, and the UN’s concerns, is ensuring that the affected populations have access to basic services, that’s vital, and that the security is in place to enable the provision of those services without fears or insecurity,” Campbell said of the situation in Arakan State.

Campbell said one in 10 children under the age of 5 who are living in IDP camps around the Arakan State capital of Sittwe is severely or moderately malnourished.

Maung Maung Htay, the deputy religious affairs minister, attended this week’s conference, where he said the gathering would allow a variety of faith leaders to share their experiences.

“We will learn from them [international leaders] how to help children in our country. We have many things to learn from them,” he said, adding that a major goal was to reduce Burma’s infant mortality rate.

Barrie of Unicef said in a keynote speech that religion could have a profound influence on children’s development and socialization, and had the potential to reinforce protective influences and promote resilience.

She urged religious communities to make sure their mosques, synagogues or churches were “a safe and supportive place for children.”

The conference was organized by Unicef and the local NGO Ratana Metta Organization.

Your Thoughts …
The Irrawaddy

The Irrawaddy

...

Similar Picks:

Exodus: Tens of Thousands Flee as Myanmar Junta Troops Face Last Stand in Kokang
Burma

Exodus: Tens of Thousands Flee as Myanmar Junta Troops Face Last Stand in Kokang

by Hein Htoo Zan
November 28, 2023
98.5k

Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army troops are opening roads and pathways through forests for people to flee Kokang’s capital as...

Read moreDetails
Burning Alive in Myanmar: Two Resistance Fighters Executed in Public
Burma

Burning Alive in Myanmar: Two Resistance Fighters Executed in Public

by The Irrawaddy
February 7, 2024
89.9k

People’s Defense Force says junta troops told every household in the village to send one member to witness the double...

Read moreDetails
Another Entire Junta Battalion Raises the White Flag in Myanmar’s Northern Shan State
War Against the Junta

Another Entire Junta Battalion Raises the White Flag in Myanmar’s Northern Shan State

by The Irrawaddy
November 29, 2023
87.1k

Brotherhood Alliance member says it now has complete control of Kokang’s northernmost section after the junta’s Light Infantry Battalion 125...

Read moreDetails
Depleted Myanmar Military Urges Deserters to Return to Barracks
Burma

Depleted Myanmar Military Urges Deserters to Return to Barracks

by The Irrawaddy
December 4, 2023
59k

The junta said deserters would not be punished for minor crimes, highlighting the military’s shortage of troops as resistance offensives...

Read moreDetails
As Myanmar’s Military Stumbles, a Top General’s Dissapearance Fuels Intrigue
Burma

As Myanmar’s Military Stumbles, a Top General’s Dissapearance Fuels Intrigue

by The Irrawaddy
April 19, 2024
47k

The junta’s No. 2 has not been seen in public since April 3, sparking rumors that he was either gravely...

Read moreDetails
Enter the Dragon, Exit the Junta: Myanmar’s Brotherhood Alliance makes Chinese New Year Vow
Burma

Enter the Dragon, Exit the Junta: Myanmar’s Brotherhood Alliance makes Chinese New Year Vow

by The Irrawaddy
February 12, 2024
44.8k

Ethnic armed grouping says it will continue Operation 1027 offensive until goal of ousting the junta is achieved. 

Read moreDetails
Load More
Next Post
The Military Ties That Bind

The Military Ties That Bind

Sheer Size Is Just One Complexity in Indian Election

Sheer Size Is Just One Complexity in Indian Election

No Result
View All Result

Recommended

‘Reforms Are Not Optional’: Prominent Activist Urges NUG to Act Before It’s Too Late

‘Reforms Are Not Optional’: Prominent Activist Urges NUG to Act Before It’s Too Late

2 days ago
980
Trump’s Tariffs to Hit Myanmar’s Garment Manufacturers Hard

Trump’s Tariffs to Hit Myanmar’s Garment Manufacturers Hard

2 days ago
980

Most Read

  • Chinese Investment Reshapes Myanmar’s N. Shan as MNDAA Consolidates Power

    Chinese Investment Reshapes Myanmar’s N. Shan as MNDAA Consolidates Power

    shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • Myanmar Junta Deploying Conscripts in Major Push to Reclaim Lost Territory

    shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • Junta Bombing of Resistance-Held Areas in Mandalay, Karenni Kills Seven Civilians

    shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • Two Prominent Myanmar Ex-Political Prisoners Die Hours Apart in Yangon

    shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • Chin Resistance Tensions Boil Over as CNA Seizes Rival’s Myanmar HQ

    shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0

Newsletter

Get The Irrawaddy’s latest news, analyses and opinion pieces on Myanmar in your inbox.

Subscribe here for daily updates.

Contents

  • News
  • Politics
  • War Against the Junta
  • Myanmar’s Crisis & the World
  • Conflicts In Numbers
  • Junta Crony
  • Ethnic Issues
  • Asia
  • World
  • Business
  • Economy
  • Election 2020
  • Elections in History
  • Cartoons
  • Features
  • Opinion
  • Editorial
  • Commentary
  • Guest Column
  • Analysis
  • Letters
  • In Person
  • Interview
  • Profile
  • Dateline
  • Specials
  • Myanmar Diary
  • Women & Gender
  • Places in History
  • On This Day
  • From the Archive
  • Myanmar & COVID-19
  • Intelligence
  • Myanmar-China Watch
  • Lifestyle
  • Travel
  • Food
  • Fashion & Design
  • Videos
  • Photos
  • Photo Essay
  • Donation

About The Irrawaddy

Founded in 1993 by a group of Myanmar journalists living in exile in Thailand, The Irrawaddy is a leading source of reliable news, information, and analysis on Burma/Myanmar and the Southeast Asian region. From its inception, The Irrawaddy has been an independent news media group, unaffiliated with any political party, organization or government. We believe that media must be free and independent and we strive to preserve press freedom.

  • Copyright
  • Code of Ethics
  • Privacy Policy
  • Team
  • About Us
  • Careers
  • Contact
  • Burmese

© 2023 Irrawaddy Publishing Group. All Rights Reserved

Welcome Back!

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password?

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In
No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • News
    • Burma
    • Politics
    • World
    • Asia
    • Myanmar’s Crisis & the World
    • Ethnic Issues
    • War Against the Junta
    • Junta Cronies
    • Conflicts In Numbers
    • Junta Watch
    • Fact Check
    • Investigation
    • Myanmar-China Watch
    • Obituaries
  • Politics
  • Opinion
    • Commentary
    • Guest Column
    • Analysis
    • Editorial
    • Stories That Shaped Us
    • Letters
  • Ethnic Issues
  • War Against the Junta
  • In Person
    • Interview
    • Profile
  • Business
    • Economy
    • Business Roundup
  • Books
  • Donation

© 2023 Irrawaddy Publishing Group. All Rights Reserved

This website uses cookies. By continuing to use this website you are giving consent to cookies being used. Visit our Privacy and Cookie Policy.