Locations
Bringing together humanitarian, development and peacebuilding activities
Strengthening the Triple Nexus
The Situation
Rakhine State is one of Myanmar's most impoverished regions, with an estimated 80 per cent of its population living below the poverty line. The state, marred by a long history of ethnic and religious strife, is also on the front lines of the impacts of climate change. United Nations analyses rank Rakhine as the most risk-exposed coastal area in Southeast Asia, increasing pressure on already fragile livelihoods and services.
Violence in 2017 triggered the displacement of more than 700,000 Rohingya to neighbouring Bangladesh, while UNHCR estimates that close to 620,000 Rohingya currently live in Rakhine State, including roughly 253,000 who have been displaced since 2012 and now live in camps or among host communities, facing severe movement restrictions and limited access to essential services.
Communities in Rakhine struggle with impoverished living conditions, a lack of public services, high unemployment, and rising commodity prices. Many depend on subsistence activities, but an increasing number of young people are migrating in search of better opportunities. Meanwhile, women and girls face greater challenges due to persistent gender inequalities.
Residents of Kyauktaw Township in Rakhine State walk along a road constructed with UNDP assistance.
How UNDP is Responding
UNDP promotes inclusive development in Rakhine State by engaging with all communities, including internally displaced persons, Rohingya, and other minority groups. Through the Triple Nexus—integrating humanitarian assistance, development, and peacebuilding—UNDP responds to urgent needs while laying the foundations for long-term recovery.
UNDP helps strengthen livelihoods and agricultural productivity by providing access to seeds, tools, training, and market connections. It promotes gender equality by supporting women and girls as active participants in local economies and decision-making. UNDP also works to improve access to education, health care, and clean water, and assists with issues such as housing, land, and gender-based violence. Through initiatives that encourage dialogue and small-scale community projects, UNDP fosters social cohesion and sustainable progress in the region.
