Spontaneous return monitoring was reprioritized in 2020, and needs assessments were conducted in one return-prone area in Kayin State. The findings of the assessments on the situation from January – March 2020 revealed four factors that have a significant influence on spontaneous refugee returnees’ decision making regarding their reintegration, namely: 1) livelihood opportunities, 2) food security/assistance, 3) access to health services, and 4) the presence of WASH interventions, in addition to protection interventions. To meet the overall needs, more resources are required and where possible programme interventions should be linked with development actors and national authorities. Such practices should also be utilized in other potential return areas to create better conditions for return and enable refugees to make informed decisions about their future.
Since UNHCR operations in the South East began to downsize between 2018 and 2019, several factors have impacted capacity to ensure service delivery and support for people of concern. A reduction in human resources and budgets has impacted UNHCR’s ability to fully cover some necessary activities, including ensuring robust coordination with relevant stakeholders, provision of services, and protection monitoring/assessments. With increasing tensions and clashes between the Myanmar Armed Forces (MAF) and Ethnic Armed Organizations (EAO)s being seen in the SE at the end of 2020, displacement is expected to continue, especially in Kayin, Bago East, and Mon. This will result in the need for increased humanitarian assistance and support. In the areas where IDPs have been accommodated, the major challenge is access and, as such, maintaining partnerships with local organizations is crucial. While resources are stretched, strategically it is important for programming to include Bago East as there are about 2,500 newly displaced persons and more displacement may occur among the two opposing armed elements. For these reasons, UNHCR requires additional financial and human resources in the South East in order to ensure adequate protection assistance and basic services for people of concern.