Overview
Conflict and violence have been a key part of the recent history of Myanmar. In 2017, hundreds of thousands of people fled to neighbouring Bangladesh to escape escalating violence. Similarly, clashes between militant groups and the government military prompted ethnic minorities to flee and seek refuge in India and Thailand.
On 1 February 2021, the military took over the government, causing significant economic disruption in the country.
In rural areas, there is often insufficient access to food and there are limited employment opportunities. This situation has been caused by a combination of natural disasters, conflict, poor infrastructure, and a lack of access to markets.
