Myanmar: Officials ease entry restrictions for NGO employees in northern Maungdaw, Rakhine State, as of Aug. 1 /update 1

Event

Myanmar military regime officials have eased entry restrictions for nongovernmental organization (NGO) workers in the northern parts of Maungdaw Township, Rakhine State, as of Aug. 1. Reports indicate that NGOs must still seek approval from local authorities to send employees into northern Maungdaw. NGO staff who are permitted to travel into the affected area are allowed to bring a maximum of 10 days' worth of food and other supplies for locals.

Some business disruptions will likely continue for NGOs that operate in the impacted localities due to the remaining protocols.

The impact area is around 100 km (62 miles) north-northwest of Sittwe.

Context

Officials had announced the entry restrictions into northern Maungdaw, mid-July 2022, over alleged security concerns amid increased tension and sporadic clashes between regime forces and the ethnically-based armed group Arakan Army (AA). The increase in fighting has occurred despite the informal ceasefire that the AA and the military (Tatmadaw) agreed on, November 2020, and the relative lack of large-scale armed clashes in Rakhine State following the February 2021 military coup in comparison to other states and regions in Myanmar.

Advice

Heed all official orders. Plan for business disruptions if impacted by the remaining restrictions. Maintain contact with affected employees, especially staff who obtain permission to travel to the impacted areas.