EU provides €3 million in food, nutrition and livelihood support to victims of conflicts in Myanmar/Burma

The European Commission has allocated an additional €3 million in humanitarian aid to help those affected by conflict and communal violence in Myanmar/Burma. This brings the total humanitarian assistance to €48.6 m for 2012-2013.

Fighting between the national army and the Kachin Independence Army has left thousands displaced in the north-east, while continued sporadic communal violence in Rakhine State has led to further displacements. New funds will be used to bring food, nutrition and livelihood support to the most vulnerable of the affected people in Rakhine, Kachin and Northern Shan states.

"We remain extremely concerned. Thousands of people have lost their homes and are living in dire conditions. After several disrupted harvests and prohibition of access to markets in areas affected by violence, the survival of displaced families has been put at risk. We will strive to ensure that food and livelihood support reach those most in need through our partner organizations on the ground," said International Cooperation, Humanitarian Aid and Crisis Response Commissionefr Kristalina Georgieva.

Claus Sørensen, director-general of the European Commission's humanitarian aid and civil protection department, ECHO, is currently on mission to the country to assess the humanitarian situation and to advocate with regional and Government authorities for increased and unhindered assistance to the victims.

Background

Myanmar/Burma has experienced internal conflicts along its border regions for over four decades, involving fighting between ethnic groups and the army in different locations. While the on-going peace process is paving the way for possible future return of displaced persons and refugees to the South-East, the conflict in Kachin, which erupted in 2011, has caused massive displacements. Inter-communal violence between the Muslim minorities and the Buddhist communities in Rakhine State has also resulted in the displacement of thousands. At present more than 140,000 people have been internally displaced and 800 000 are deprived of their civic rights. An estimated 3 million people from Myanmar/Burma live in Thailand as economic migrants, while 127,000 reside in nine refugee camps along the border between the two countries.

The European Commission's Humanitarian Aid and Civil Protection department ECHO has released €179 million in relief assistance for Myanmar/Burma over the last 20 years, and maintains an office in Yangon since 2005 to facilitate the delivery of aid.

More information

The European Commission's humanitarian aid and civil protection

Commissioner Georgieva's website

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