The situation remained mostly calm and stable in Kachin in 2020. However, northern Shan faced multiple armed clashes between the Myanmar Armed Forces (MAF) and ethnic armed organizations (EAOs) or between EAOs, which has led to much temporary displacement, with some people displaced multiple times. Pendular movements of temporarily displacement alongside IDPs in protracted displacement continuing to seek solutions were observed in both in Kachin and northern Shan amidst the COVID-19 pandemic. By end of 2020, the total number of IDPs remains at 104,475 (20,106 HHs) hosted in 170 different locations within Kachin and Northern Shan States (source Cluster Analysis Report Dec 2020). Most of these IDPs have been in protracted displacement since 2011.
Over 2,100 IDPs left the camp to pursue transitional or durable solutions, some of whom decided to leave the camps without providing any prior indication to the camp committees. Despite the COVID-19 pandemic and clashes in northern Shan, the number of planned solutions initiatives and number of IDP solutions movements increased in Kachin and northern Shan States in 2020. The increase is the result of negotiations and agreements on returns to an initial list of between 17 and 26 villages of origin by the church-led Kachin Humanitarian Concern Committee, the government, and armed actors. Other contributory factors include the establishment of mechanisms for more systematic consultation, awareness, and engagement in the return planning process, including on returns and resettlement by the Kachin Baptist Convention and Roman Catholic church. In Kachin State, the continued lull in fighting since late 2018, the fatigue of protracted displacement, and desire to protect housing and land holdings, have contributed to a growing interest in solutions among IDPs. In northern Shan State, while the mobile nature of armed actors and clashes continues to pose serious safety concerns and challenges to the durability of solutions, IDPs themselves and camp host institutions are also seeking to ensure the possibility for IDPs to return or relocate in order to improve their living conditions and future prospects, despite ongoing safety risks.
UNHCR focused its interventions on expanding and strengthening protection information and analysis to drive its responses and interventions in Protection, Shelter/NFIs and Camp Management and Camp Coordination (CCCM). UNHCR worked in close collaboration with its local partners, enhancing their technical capacity, and coordinating responses with other actors as the lead agency for the Protection Sector and Shelter/NFI/CCCM cluster.
In the South East, protracted conflict between ethnic armed groups and the military have kept the displaced population of 15,568 IDPs in a camp-like situation and in protracted displacement. Humanitarian organizations have access to Myaing Gyi Ngu IDP camp, while for Ei Tu Hta and Lal Mu Palaw IDP sites, only some local community-based organizations (CBOs)/ civil society organizations (CSOs), have access. In 2020, UNHCR focused its efforts in implementing community-based projects and establishing small-scale partnerships with local organizations to support protection activities for some 3,000 persons displaced in 2019 due clashes between the military and the Karen National Union (KNU) related to road construction in Mu Thae area, Kyaukkyi Township, Bago East.