Despite substantial natural resources, Myanmar (formerly Burma) is one of the poorest nations in the world, currently ranked 130 out of 173 on the Human Development Index.
Decades of oppression, human rights abuses, economic stagnation and isolation have led to high levels of internal displacement within the country.
Many people have fled Myanmar and many more are subject to continued forced relocation, remain behind bars or are under house arrest.
Myanmar is also one of the least aided poor countries in the world, with UN-imposed economic sanctions in place for many years. In a bid to control its deficit, the military junta government has reduced spending on vital basic services, such as health and education.
Particularly vulnerable are women and children, especially displaced communities living in the villages and border areas of Myanmar. Large-scale systematic human rights abuses take place in the country, and respect for the basic rights of freedom, of speech, the media, assembly and association are severely limited.