Myanmar

Focus on the Rohingya

Myanmar’s Rakhine State is home to the Rohingya. It is the least developed state in the country with a poverty rate of 78% compared to the 37.5% national average, according to the World Bank. Government restrictions have been put in place against the Rohingya, a Muslim ethnic minority group, on marriage, family planning, employment, education, religious freedom, and freedom of movement. 

Hundreds of thousands of Rohingya have fled persecution in Rakhine, fueling a humanitarian crisis. Most have fled to Bangladesh, which has limited land and resources. Some have also fled to Malaysia, India, Thailand, and Indonesia.

Islamic Relief’s Dedication to Refugees from Myanmar

Interventions have included humanitarian aid to internally displaced people and host communities in Rakhine State, including the following:

• Food aid
• Access to clean and safe water and healthcare
• Humanitarian aid for vulnerable communities including internally displaced people and their host communities

We also have worked to provide emergency relief for natural disasters including building shelters for those affected by cyclones. While programming inside of Myanmar has been completed, support for refugees from Myanmar continue in other countries, including Bangladesh.