[{"bbox": [96, 151, 1135, 419], "category": "Text", "text": "In the absence of an Multiannual Indicative Programme (MIP) 2021-27, which is due to the described crisis, and following the Foreign Affairs Council Conclusions of February 2021⁴, this action is part of a Special Measure in 2022. With this additional funding, ongoing NRM interventions, launched - at a limited scale - in 2021 following the coup, will be upscaled and further reinforced. The action addresses the immediate needs of the Myanmar population deriving from the current crisis and conflict situation, and aims at supporting efforts for strengthening people's resilience to shocks and for creating – where possible – a space for meaningful dialogues for peace. Furthermore, the action is grounded in two concepts: a) a focus on flexibility, both through a combined humanitarian, development, and peacebuilding approach, allowing for a quick reaction to changing contexts and events, based on conflict sensitivity, human rights and gender responsiveness; and b) a focus on strengthening and working with civil society and localization, in order to enhance relevance, ownership, efficiency and sustainability."}, {"bbox": [96, 423, 1135, 530], "category": "Text", "text": "The **Overall Objective (impact)** of this action is to contribute to peace building efforts, security, stability and sustainable development in Myanmar/Burma with a focus on vulnerable groups of population, including forcibly displaced persons. The **Specific Objective (outcome)** of this action is to improve the resilience of the people of Myanmar including vulnerable groups and IDPs."}, {"bbox": [96, 535, 981, 563], "category": "Text", "text": "The Outputs to be delivered by this action contributing to the Specific Objective (Outcome) are:"}, {"bbox": [135, 564, 757, 590], "category": "List-item", "text": "1. Vulnerabilities are reduced among the target population groups;"}, {"bbox": [135, 590, 841, 616], "category": "List-item", "text": "2. Improved local capacities to prepare for and reduce risk of future shocks;"}, {"bbox": [135, 616, 1133, 670], "category": "List-item", "text": "3. Improved capacities of and established mechanisms for local actors, CSOs, women, youth and internally displaced persons for protection of their rights and supporting inclusive peace building efforts."}, {"bbox": [96, 674, 1133, 782], "category": "Text", "text": "The action will be implemented in coordination and complementarity the co-funder DG ECHO and the Service for Foreign Policy Instruments (responsible for the former Instrument contributing to Stability and Peace and the NDICI crisis response). The action also contributes to the realisation of the EU's Gender Action Plan III⁵, in particular regarding the 'Thematic area of engagement – Integrating the women, peace and security agenda⁶'."}, {"bbox": [96, 787, 1133, 868], "category": "Text", "text": "This action contributes primarily to SDG 16 'Promote just, peaceful and inclusive societies'. It also contributes to SDG 1 and SDG 2 aimed respectively at \"Ending poverty\" and \"Zero hunger\" as well as SDG 3 \"Good health and well being\", SDG 5 \"Gender Equality\", SDG 6 \"Clean water and Sanitation\" and SDG 10 \"Reduced Inequalities\"."}, {"bbox": [85, 902, 323, 934], "category": "Section-header", "text": "# 2 RATIONALE"}, {"bbox": [85, 966, 234, 994], "category": "Section-header", "text": "## 2.1 Context"}, {"bbox": [96, 1013, 1135, 1199], "category": "Text", "text": "The coup d'état on 1 February 2021 and the detention of leaders elected in the November 2020 elections drastically changed the operational environment. Mass protests led to armed revolt in many parts of central Myanmar, with anti-government armed groups known as People's Defence Forces (PDFs) forming throughout nearly all of Myanmar's government controlled areas. To date, at least 2 660 civilians have been killed and 12 550 arrested since February 2021. Conflict has also dramatically escalated in many ethnic areas, with several major ethnic armend organisations (EAO) stepping up conflict with the de-facto authorities, or openly supporting the formation and training of new PDFs."}, {"bbox": [96, 1205, 1135, 1444], "category": "Text", "text": "A year and a half on from the February 2021 coup, the resistance against the military continues. Whilst a certain sense of normalcy has returned to major cities, severe violence continues in the Bamar heartland ( Sagaing, Magway, Bago Regions) and in ethnic areas (Kachin, Chin, Kayin, Kayah and Shan States). National conflict developments reinforce this trajectory of escalation, with armed conflicts between the State Administrative Council (SAC - the military junta) and the Arakan Army (ethnic armed organisation-EAO) extending in Rakhine State and in Chin State. It is believed that the SAC has authorised 'clearance operations' - recalling the 'clearance operations' with which the Myanmar military targeted Rohingya communities in 2017 - in at least four areas, including Sagaing Region and Kayin, Chin, and Kayah States. Armed violence - including both ground clashes and air strikes - is likely to escalate."}, {"bbox": [96, 1449, 1133, 1504], "category": "Text", "text": "Following the overthrow of the civilian government, democratically elected members of the Myanmar parliament (Pyidaungsu Hluttaw) formed the Committee Representing the Pyidaungsu Hluttaw (CRPH) to oppose the coup."}, {"bbox": [85, 1548, 860, 1573], "category": "Footnote", "text": "⁴ Council of the European Union, Concil Conclusions – Myanmar/Burma 6287/21. 22.2.2021"}, {"bbox": [85, 1573, 653, 1598], "category": "Footnote", "text": "⁵ https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/IP_20_2184"}, {"bbox": [85, 1598, 1143, 1647], "category": "Footnote", "text": "⁶ Joint Communication: Gender Action Plan III 2021-2025, An ambitious agenda for gender equality and women's empowerment in EU external action, SWD(2020) 284 final, 25.11.2020."}, {"bbox": [1038, 1680, 1143, 1705], "category": "Page-footer", "text": "Page 4 of 20"}]