Expert Commentary by Dr Nyi Nyi Kyaw and Caitlin McCaffrie

Myanmar has long been the primary source of displacement in Southeast Asia, resulting in refugees and people seeking asylum from Myanmar living across Southeast and South Asia, often in precarious circumstances.

This paper aims to unpack the current situation facing those displaced from Myanmar and offer policy proposals to improve their lives in displacement, while working towards supporting conditions in Myanmar becoming safe for repatriation in the future.
In this context, the paper identifies three key challenges facing those displaced, namely:

• deteriorating conditions in Myanmar making safe, voluntary repatriation a distant possibility;
• inconsistent or lack of access to services for those displaced in neighbouring countries, and
• an absence of regional level coordination or leadership on refugee protection.

These are not easy challenges to address, however there are ways forward. More can be done to support those displaced from Myanmar. This paper outlines recommendations along three key themes:

1. Addressing the enabling environment and ensuring repatriation is not rushed
2. Developing greater refugee protection and response capacity at the regional level
3. Better coordinating resettlement programs and expansion of resettlement countries

Written by Dr Nyi Nyi Kyaw and Caitlin McCaffrie, this Expert Commentary attempts to put current events in historical perspective and consider how external actors can support those in need.
It was produced in March 2024 as part of the Asia Displacement Solutions Platform (ADSP)’s Project: Supporting Humanitarian and Refugee Protection in Asia (SHARP-Asia), supported by the European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations (ECHO).
Note: Views and opinions expressed in the expert commentary are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the positions of ADSP, nor of its members.

The Expert Commentary is available here.