In early 2020, the situation in the South East (SE) corridor of Myanmar was relatively similar to the previous year in terms of the operational context. It was expected that refugees in Thailand would show increased willingness to participate in the facilitated voluntary repatriation (FVR) exercises during the year. However, the unprecedented circumstances of COVID-19 obstructed cross-border movements between Thailand and Myanmar, the only route for the FVR process in the SE of Myanmar to take place. As a result, no FVR movements took place in 2020. In addition, the impact of COVID-19 also had implications for progress in the peace process, resulting in a status quo on the set goals of the National Ceasefire Agreement. With the stalling of the peace process, expected exercises/activities which could facilitate the flow of FVR were also interrupted. These include landmine clearance, development of livelihood opportunities, and enhancement of basic infrastructure.
Nonetheless, despite COVID-19 and other constraints, where the situation allowed in the SE, UNHCR continued to work primarily on activities aimed at ensuring the safe and dignified voluntary return of refugees from Thailand and IDPs to their places of origin or choice. The focus was on access to international protection and physical safety and security of people of concern, civil documentation, secure land tenure, enhancement of a peaceful co-existence, and access to basic services and livelihoods. To provide these services, UNHCR implemented activities either directly or through partners.
UNHCR and its partners delivered peaceful co-existence activities in 30 villages in Kayin and Kayah States, and Tanintharyi region, to promote livelihood diversification and income generation, and better access to basic services, with the ultimate purpose of easing tensions and increasing the willingness of the host community to accept people of concern. In these locations, community empowerment activities were also implemented in 34 villages for knowledge and capacity development of the communities.
Maintaining good coordination mechanisms among actors working in the SE has played an important role in the timely and effective provision of services to beneficiaries. UNHCR has strengthened coordination and continues to advocate with major development actors and donors, as well with authorities, to take into account return and reintegration of IDPs and refugees during development planning. UNHCR chaired the Inter-Agency Coordination structure and the Protection Network, and met regularly with NGOs and UN agencies in order to strengthen protection coordination. UNHCR also co-chaired the South East Working Group (SEWG) with UNDP for general coordination across SE. Meanwhile, cross-border coordination meetings were also held virtually with protection network members to enhance cross-border collaboration and information-sharing with refugees, facilitating well-informed decision-making regarding voluntary return to Myanmar.
Protection and return monitoring were also maintained regularly across the SE, particularly in areas of return for IDPs and refugee returnees. In 2020, protection monitoring was prioritized among those whose return was facilitated (in previous years, since none occurred in 2020) and spontaneous as well as to monitor the situation of IDPs in camps or camp-like settings.
Awareness raising on Legal Civil Documentation (LCD) and Housing, Land and Property (HLP) remained a major component of the programme for returnees and IDPs, and was furthered by strengthening partnerships. To promote HLP awareness of local CBOs/CSOs, collaborative dispute resolution training and paralegal training were also delivered through partners.