Extending humanitarian assistance to address the needs of conflict affected persons  in Kachin and northern Shan States In late December 2018, after the welcome announcement of a unilateral ceasefire by the Tatmadaw, the armed confrontation among ethnic armed groups (EAOs) and Tatmadaw has dramatically reduced in both Kachin and Shan states. Since then, there has been no new displacement of persons in Kachin state. However, occasionally short term displacement of persons in Shan state has been caused due to sporadic fighting. According to the statistics in MHF allocation strategy, 97,500 people (29,250 women, 24,375 men, 22,425 girls, 21,450 boys) remain displaced across Kachin state, while 9,000 people (2,700 women, 2,160 men, 2,070 girls, 2,070 boys) are still living in situation of protracted displacement in northern Shan state. This means that the needs of the IDPs in the affected areas are immense. Despite the current ceasefire conditions, military blockades stop the flow of supplies and materials from reaching persons living in the camps. Another consideration for the project is the possibility of natural disasters such as floods further affecting person living in vulnerable conditions in the conflict affected areas. 

This project will enable the Metta Development Foundation-Metta, to address the ongoing humanitarian needs of people newly displaced due to armed conflict or natural disasters, as well as the existing IDPs in Kachin and northern Shan states. The project’s goal reflects Metta’s commitment to address gaps and immediate needs to ensure that the current IDPs have access to a supply of basic food while pre-positioning capabilities and resources to respond to sudden-onset humanitarian emergency quickly and effectively across three sectors, namely Food Security, Shelter and NFIs, and EIE-education in emergency. 

The basic food assistance (cash vouchers and/or food subsidies) will reach a total of 3,500 IDPs (men-799, women-974, boys-847, girls-880) currently living in camps in the project areas whereas a total of 500 newly displaced in northern Shan will receive emergency food assistance. The NFI assistance (warm clothing and bedding, kitchen utensils and sanitary supplies) will be extended to a total of 1,000 households (men-1,086, women-1,435, boys-1,276, girls-1,229), living in 4 townships of Kachin state: Hpakan, Myitkyina, Tanai and Waingmaw.

Education is a priority component of the humanitarian response plan in Myanmar, as well as IDPs parents. Therefore, activities through the EIE-emergency in education sector will be initiated through this project in both Kachin and northern Shan states for conflict-affected children and adolescents. A total of 6,781 (boys-3,323, girls-3,458) in Kachin will benefit with educational support plus a total of 2,500 (boys -1,157, girls -1,343) in northern Shan state. 

Shelters constructed during the previous 8 years while armed conflict was ongoing are either in need of repair or replaced. The lack of adequate shelter compromises the IDPs security, privacy, well-being and ability to live with dignity in the crowded camp conditions. 15 new shelters will be constructed of under this project for an estimated total 75 IDPs (men-18, women-20, boys-18, girls-19). Project activities will prioritize the needs of particularly vulnerable and marginalized people, plus promote gender equality. The selection process will give preference to persons in the vulnerable group.