UNICEF Urges Protection for Rohingya Children Amid Escalating Violence in Myanmar

The situation in Maungdaw Township is particularly dire, with reports of more people seeking refuge in Bangladesh.

Seven years after the mass exodus of Rohingya people from Myanmar, violence and conflict in Rakhine State continue to worsen, leading to increased casualties and displacement. The situation in Maungdaw Township is particularly dire, with reports of more people seeking refuge in Bangladesh.

UNICEF has received distressing reports indicating that civilians, especially children and families, are being targeted or caught in the crossfire, resulting in numerous deaths and severe injuries. The ongoing conflict has made humanitarian access in Rakhine extremely difficult, further endangering critical services such as safe water and healthcare. These challenges are compounded by electricity, telecommunications, and internet blackouts that have persisted since January, disrupting both civilian life and humanitarian operations.

“Seven years after thousands were forced to flee their homes in search of safety, the ongoing violence in Myanmar is a painful reminder of the persistent threats to children,” said UNICEF Executive Director Catherine Russell. “In Rakhine and across the country, children and families continue to suffer the consequences of this conflict. All parties involved must uphold their obligations to protect children.”

On August 5, 2024, artillery shelling and drone attacks reportedly claimed the lives of approximately 180 people, including many women and children, near the Naf River, which borders southeastern Bangladesh and northwestern Myanmar. The victims were attempting to escape the ongoing violence. On the same day, an estimated 20,000 people were displaced from three wards in downtown Maungdaw.

Tragically, on August 6 and 19, separate incidents saw boats carrying dozens of people, including women and children, sinking in the Naf River. Children were among the casualties, adding to the series of tragic capsizing incidents.

Since November 13, 2023, the intensifying conflict has displaced an estimated 327,000 people in Rakhine State and Paletwa Township in Chin. This has brought the total number of internally displaced people in Rakhine State to well over half a million.

Across Myanmar, the humanitarian crisis that escalated in February 2021 continues to deteriorate rapidly, with children bearing the brunt of the violence, displacement, and the near collapse of essential services like health and education. Escalating attacks and clashes have displaced approximately 3.3 million people, nearly 40 percent of whom are children. In 2024, a record 18.6 million people – nearly one-third of the country’s population, including 6 million children – require humanitarian assistance.

The Rohingya population, who fled Myanmar in 2017, joined refugees already in Bangladesh from previous waves of displacement. Together, they now total almost one million displaced people. Seven years on, about half a million Rohingya children are growing up in the world’s largest refugee camp, with many born there as refugees. The refugee community relies entirely on humanitarian aid and lives in highly congested, temporary shelters. Working with the Interim Government of Bangladesh and partners, UNICEF provides essential services, including water and sanitation, healthcare, education, and protection for children affected by violence and neglect.

“Bangladesh’s ongoing support for the refugee population, especially children, is both commendable and critical,” said Russell. “Over the past year, we have become increasingly concerned about the security situation in the camps and reports of child rights violations. UNICEF stands ready to support the new Interim Government of Bangladesh in ensuring that these children are protected and have access to essential services.”

UNICEF calls on all parties to the conflict in Myanmar to adhere to their obligations under international humanitarian and human rights law, ensuring the safety and well-being of civilians, particularly children. UNICEF also emphasizes the need for safe and unimpeded access for humanitarian aid by all actors involved.