in one report released on Thursday, the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) described the situation in the poor province as an “unprecedented disaster.”
“A perfect storm is formingIt said, citing a combination of interconnected problems – restrictions on domestic and international flows of goods, hyperinflation, loss of livelihoods, declining agricultural production and lack of services necessary.
UNDP warns that without urgent action, almost the entire population (about 95%) “will go into survival mode”.
“They will have to fend for themselves amid plummeting domestic production, soaring prices, widespread unemployment and rising insecurity.”
Prices of essential goods and services in Rakhine skyrocketed (rice, cooking and transportation).
Rakhine is home to the predominantly Muslim Rohingya community, who fled a brutal military crackdown in 2017 by the hundreds and thousands, according to former United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Zeid Ra. ‘ad Al Hussein called ethnic cleansing.
Today, almost a million Rohingya refugees remain in neighboring Bangladeshwhere UN aid groups have had to cut food rations amid huge funding shortfalls.
Collective punishment
Data collected across Rakhine in 2023 and 2024 also shows the state’s economy is almost at a standstill, with key sectors such as trade, agriculture and construction almost at a standstill.
“People’s income is decreasing because Agricultural, export-oriented livelihoods in Rakhine are disappearing as domestic and international markets are no longer accessible due to blockade,” UNDP said.
It added that the restrictions introduced by the military’s State Administrative Council “are clearly aimed at isolating Rakhine from the rest of the country and carrying out ‘collective punishment’ on a group of people”. population is already vulnerable.”
The consequences go beyond borders
UNDP further warns that the recent escalation in manipulation of national identity coupled with an impending economic disaster will deepen marginalization, disenfranchisement and marginalization. Relations between communities are at greater risk more than ever.
“As the crisis worsens, lack of resources and opportunities will continue to fuel tensions and trigger greater migration of young people and families.…this will have consequences both within and beyond Myanmar’s borders,” it said.
“With no safe routes to escape, we expect human trafficking to increase, especially among the vulnerable Rohingya community.”
Detonation effect
The knock-on effects of the Rakhine situation are contributing to internal migration patterns across Myanmar.
As the economic situation worsens, many families see resettlement as the only option for survival, a separate UNDP said. report on migration patterns disclose. Many young people are leaving their communities for urban centers in search of employment and stability.
However, what they find is often far from what they expected – jobs are scarce and those who migrate for safety rather than economic opportunity often face serious mental health challenges .
Women face a different burden: lower wages, higher rates of discrimination, and greater obstacles in the job market.
Brain bleeding
The migration crisis extends beyond Myanmar’s borders, with comparisons showing stark differences between internal migrants and those fleeing to neighboring countries, such as Thailand.
People who move abroad often earn higher salaries and improved living conditions. This is likely to lead to labor shortages and hinder any future recovery, UNDP said.
“With nearly 25% of the population now living abroad, addressing these migration trends is essential to maintain a productive workforce in the country,” the report added.
A girl picks up recyclable materials at a landfill in Mandalay, Myanmar’s second largest city, where impoverished families are often forced to search for items to sell on minimal income. (document)
Human capital is in decline
Add to this that conflict and economic strife are accelerating the deterioration of Myanmar’s human resources, and the outlook is equally bleak.
Essential services such as health care, education, access to clean water and sanitation are becoming luxuries beyond the reach of many people.according to release data by UNDP in September, with nearly 25% of children no longer in school.
Dropout rates are rising in areas hardest hit by violence and economic hardship, such as Rakhine and neighboring Chin state.
UNDP said health care systems are strained beyond capacity and basic health needs remain unmet.
“A mass exodus of skilled workers is draining the nation’s productive capacity, exacerbating the long-term effects of this crisis.”
