GPC Operations Cell: gpc[at]unhcr.org
Gender-Based Violence: chase[at]unfpa.org
Child Protection: rpouwels[at]unicef.org
Housing, Land and Property: jim.robinson[at]nrc.no
Mine Action: unmasgeneva[at]un.org
Prior to the military takeover Myanmar had seen decades of failed governance characterized by unresolved ethnic divisions, multiple ongoing armed conflicts, widespread discrimination characterized by many forms of violence, including killings, physical and mental harm, arbitrary arrests, collective punishment, kidnapping, and destruction of property, among other factors. Women, children and persons with disabilities (PWDs) are particularly vulnerable amid this economic and protection crisis, exposing them to risks of exploitation and abuse, including gender-based violence (GBV). In areas affected by conflict, entire communities, including children, are being displaced. There has been a lack of rule of law, including racial and religious discrimination seen through repeated acts of violence committed against Rohingya people. Other ethnic areas have also suffered prolonged discrimination and violence against civilians.
The Protection Cluster in Myanmar was activated to ensure the coordination of protection interventions in emergencies and to respond to the protection needs of persons affected by conflict and disasters. It is composed of the Gender-Based Violence (GBV) Area of Responsibility (AoR), the Child Protection (CP) Area of Responsibility (AoR), and the Mine Action (MA) Area of Responsibility (AoR). The Protection Cluster is led and coordinated by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and co-coordinated by the Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC).