By Arakan Journal Staff
September 21, 2026
YANGON – The United Nations refugee agency continues to warn of serious protection and humanitarian challenges facing displaced and stateless people in Myanmar, including Rohingya communities in Rakhine State.
UNHCR’s Myanmar country page currently lists its Myanmar Funding Update – 2026, published on September 5, as its latest Myanmar-specific update. The agency has not published a new Rohingya-specific statement on September 21 or 22, according to the latest material available on its Myanmar page.
UNHCR says conflict and displacement continue to create significant protection needs across Myanmar. Its 2026 strategy identifies threats including physical insecurity, forced recruitment, arbitrary detention, landmines, gender-based violence and limited access to health and education.
The agency also highlights restrictions on freedom of movement and difficulties obtaining civil registration and legal identity documents. These problems can increase the vulnerability of displaced and stateless people to trafficking, arbitrary arrest, extortion and discrimination.
Rohingya in Rakhine face continuing humanitarian pressure.
In Rakhine State, UNHCR says displaced communities continue to face difficulties obtaining necessities. The agency’s Rohingya emergency update says blocked humanitarian access and funding shortages have left some communities facing shortages of food, clean water and healthcare.
UNHCR says it continues to collaborate with partners to provide protection and assistance to people most at risk, while advocating for humanitarian access and the rights of displaced and stateless populations.
The agency’s 2026 strategy also identifies housing, land and property rights, legal identity, citizenship and protection monitoring as key areas of its work. It says establishing conditions for voluntary, safe and dignified return remains part of its longer-term objectives.
The situation comes amid continuing conflict in Myanmar and renewed international concern over the treatment of Rohingya and other minorities.
A separate OHCHR report published in August 2026 examined the human-rights situation of Rohingya Muslims and other minorities during the period from June 2025 to May 2026. The report described further deterioration affecting g Rohingya and documented abuses involving both the Myanmar military and the Arakan Army.
For Rohingya refugees who remain outside Myanmar, particularly the more than one million refugees in Bangladesh, the continuing conflict and insecurity inside Rakhine remain major obstacles to prospects for a safe and sustainable return. UNHCR says conditions for voluntary and safe return remain limited.
As international attention remains focused on the Rohingya crisis, humanitarian agencies continue to call for adequate funding, humanitarian access and stronger protection for displaced and stateless communities in Myanmar.
Leave a Reply