Safe Returns in Rakhine in Myanmar

The project in brief

Implemented by

United Nations Development Programme UNDP and United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees UNHCR - Myanmar

Country

Myanmar

Duration

June 2018 - Ongoing

Description

UNHCR and UNDP support recovery and resilience-based development for the benefit of all communities living in Rakhine State.

Project aims

• To find durable solutions to the displacement of persons in and from Rakhine State.
• To support recovery and resilience-based development for the benefit of all communities living in Rakhine State.
• To creating conditions conducive for the voluntary, safe, dignified and sustainable return of refugees from Bangladesh.

Resources used

In November 2017 and January 2018, the Governments of Myanmar and Bangladesh agreed on arrangements for the repatriation of the refugees residing in Bangladesh.

UNHCR and UNDP signed an MoU with the Government of Myanmar in 2018. 

Main activities of the Good Practice

The project includes the renovation of schools and water supplies, rehabilitation of roads, installation of solar lights, income-generating activities, among others.  

It also includes two pilot projects that support the return of internally displaced persons who left their homes in 2017 to return to their original house plots. 

Partners

• Bridge Asia Japan
• World Vision
• CARE International

Challenges and how they were overcome

Challenges

The evolving health crisis country-wide as a result of COVID-19 and the ensuing measures put in place to limit the spread of the virus 

The ongoing conflict between the Myanmar military and Arakan Army have impacted the MOU implementation

How they were overcome

Continuous and flexible access to affected communities maintained to ensure their needs are not neglected. 

Public health campaign and PPE distribution in response to COVID. 

Results of the Good Practice 

• The completed projects from 2019 have benefited around 19,000 people.  
• The 2020 projects will help 11,000 people.  
• In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, UNDP and UNHCR conducted public health campaigns in 40 villages.  
• They provided mask-making kits to 20,000 people across Buthidaung and Maungdaw. 
• The Technical Working Group (TWG) that is co-chaired between the Government of Myanmar, UNDP and UNHCR met 12 times 

How the project meets the GCR Objectives

Objective 2: Enhance refugee self-reliance

Supports recovery and resilience-based development for the benefit of all communities living in Rakhine State. 

Objective 4: Support conditions in countries of origin for return in safety and dignity

Creates conditions conducive for the voluntary, safe, dignified and sustainable return of refugees from Bangladesh. 

Next steps 

UNDP and UNHCR are pursuing an expansion of activities to address issues such as housing, land and property rights, good governance, access to justice and to enable the return of all displaced persons to their places of origin, including IDPs.