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For decades, Myanmar has been a country that has produced large numbers of refugees. Hundreds of thousands of people have sought safety abroad.
How many refugees have come from Myanmar?
At the end of 2020, UNHCR estimated that there were 1.1 million refugees from Myanmar. This made it the fourth-largest refugee population in the world.
Most refugees and others seeking protection live in Thailand, Bangladesh and Malaysia. Many of them are not protected by domestic laws in these countries. They often do not have access to work, education and healthcare.
Why have they left Myanmar?
Armed conflict
Many people have left because of the conflict between the Myanmar army and ethnic armed groups. This started after Burma became independent in 1948. About 32% of its population are from ethnic minorities. Most of its people are Buddhist (around 87.9%).
Report of Independent International Fact-Finding Mission on Myanmar .
Many of these minorities had not been subject to British control when Burma/Myanmar was a colony. Ethnic armed groups rebelled against the new government, including the Karen National Union (KNU).
In 1984, the army launched an offensive against the KNU. Around 10,000 refugees fled into Thailand. More people left after army offensives against ethnic armed groups in 1995-1997.
While many people have left Myanmar, many others have also moved within Myanmar. At the end of 2020, an estimated 505,000 have been forced to move due to conflict and violence.
Internally displaced in Myanmar
An estimated 1 million people from Myanamar are in need. More than 336,000 displaced people were living in camps or camp-like situations in Myanmar. 70% of these were women and children.
Humanitarian Needs Overview January 2021
Political repression
Myanmar has been ruled by a military regime for decades. In August 1988, mass demonstrations led to a violent crackdown. Around 10,000 people fled to Thailand. Most of the students eventually returned.
In 1990 a general election was won by Aung San Suu Kyi’s National League for Democracy. The League, however, was not allowed to take power, and more people fled to Thailand.
Disasters
There are many natural disasters in Myanmar, especially floods and landslides. These cause many people to move temporarily. About 50,000 people were estimated to have been forced to move within Myanmar because of natural disasters in 2020.
It is estimated that sudden disasters will cause on average more than 569,000 people to move every year.
