"Highlights • Internal displacement continues to rise with more than 2.8 million people displaced country-wide, who are in need of humanitarian assistance amid access challenges. • The heightened conflict in Rakhine is driving displacement, raising protection concerns and exacerbating pre-existing vulnerabilities. • Over the past month, UNICEF and its partners provided 39,815 people with primary health care services. • UNICEF also supported 67,661 internally displaced children (including 34,451 girls) with access to formal and non-formal education, including early learning. • At the end of Q1 of 2024, UNICEF’s HAC is only 11 per cent funded, limiting UNICEF’s ability to scale up and address the lifesaving needs of the most vulnerable people. Situation Overview & Humanitarian Needs Armed conflict has been spreading in many parts of the country especially in Rakhine state, the northwest, Kachin and the southeast. Displacement continues to increase, and more than 2.8 million people have been internally displaced. About 18.6 million people across Myanmar will need humanitarian assistance in 20242 and rising inflation affects people’s ability to meet their basic needs, further exacerbating vulnerabilities. People, especially children, are struggling to survive because of threats to their security and protection. Enforcement of conscription across the country and forced recruitment by different armed groups are increasing people’s anxiety and insecurity. The ongoing clashes and the restrictions imposed by all parties still pose the main obstacles in accessing affected people and in providing lifesaving support and social services. The conflict in northern Shan State has been stable since the ceasefire was agreed in January, despite continuing tensions between the Myanmar Armed Forces and armed groups in Kayukme and Hsipaw. United Nations staff, who had been temporarily relocated from Lashio, returned as the security situation improved. Most of the internally displaced population have returned to their places of origin, with only approximately 20,000 people still temporarily displaced. However, landmine incidents have significantly increased in northern Shan, and travel restrictions remain in place for civilians. Transportation costs have also significantly risen due to road accessibility issues and checkpoints set up by both parties. In southern Shan, the armed conflict has escalated in Hopong, Loilen (Mongpawn), Hsihseng, Mawkmai, Pinlaung, Pekon, Ywarngan and near Taunggyi. More than 10,000 people flee from 17 villages in Pinlaung Township since early March. Approximately 80 per cent of Hsihseng town has been destroyed by airstrikes, bombings, and heavy artillery fire. This has caused the number of internally displaced persons to rise in conflict-affected areas and neighbouring townships. In Kayah state, armed conflict escalated mainly in Hpasaung and Loikaw and the number of internally displaced is increasing due to the conflicts, and because of the relocation of people from southern Shan. In Kachin state, intense gunfire, artillery shelling and aerial attacks have been reported in Bhamo, Mansi, Sumprabum townships since 3 March. Consequently, 27 civilians, including 6 children, were allegedly killed and 7 people including a child, were injured. 3 More than 18,000 people have been displaced in 10 townships since the Kachin Independence Army (KIA) launched a new offensive on 7 March4 . Roads from Myitkyina-Bhamo and Myitkyina-Sumprabum remain blocked and hindering access to the displaced people for humanitarian aid. Electricity was cut off in Bhamo, Mansi and Sumprabum townships due to the destruction of power lines during the fighting. Mobile communication and internet services remain severely limited in Mansi and Sumprabum townships. Roadblocks and restrictions on telecommunications hamper the further assessment of emerging needs to inform humanitarian responses. In Rakhine State, fighting intensified in March with artillery fire and deadly aerial bombardment, particularly in Kyaukpyu, Maungdaw, Ponnagyun, Ramree and Rathedaung townships, 15 townships have been affected out of 17 townships. Artillery shelling incidents impacted civilian areas in Sittwe, killing a total of at least 29 civilians and injuring 42 others, while also damaging buildings, including a school5 . Waterways and road closures are causing shortages of food and other commodities, as well as a rise in the prices of essential goods. Refusal of travel authorisations have impeded accessing to affected communities for the provision of humanitarian assistance and poor internet and telephone network connectivity also hampers the gathering of information on the needs of the displaced population. More than 157,000 people are estimated to have been displaced in Rakhine and Paletwa in Chin since the ceasefire failed and most townships have travel restrictions. Most health services facilities are badly affected with very limited numbers of health workers and health supplies are running out. The displacements and restrictions are also affecting learning facilities. Landmines are a major issue across Rakhine state with communities, including children, being injured by landmines with regular incidents. In the northwest, clashes in Kale township resulted in civilian casualties, the destruction of houses and people’s displacement. Approximately 28,000 people from Kale town fled to safer locations6 , about 25,000 people from Monywa and more than 6,400 people have been displaced in Katha district. Reportedly, there are civilian casualties in, or surrounding, Kale town due to continuous clashes. As fighting intensified there, all major roads in and out of the town were blocked, as well as the road to Chin state, with the price of goods rising by between three to five times. Reportedly, landmines have been planted; some close to civilian areas. Those people remaining in Kale are in serious danger from shelling and airstrikes, as well as landmines. Some 7,000 people were reported as newly displaced as of 19 March and this number is expected to increase. In Sagaing, intensifying clashes in Kani Township have displaced more than 12,000 people since 1 March. The conflict reportedly killed more than 30 civilians, injured many more, and damaged or destroyed more than 500 houses in Chin, Magway, Sagaing, and Mandalay between 7 and 17 March..."