Introduction

Sittwe, the capital of Rakhine State in Myanmar, has faced significant displacement due to intercommunal violence and armed conflict, notably worsening after Operation 1027 in October 2023. Both internally displaced persons (IDPs) and host communities endure deteriorating living conditions and restricted access to essential services. Aid responses have often prioritized newly displaced individuals, raising concerns about neglecting long-vulnerable host communities. This survey aims to identify living conditions, food security status and priority needs to inform effective and equitable interventions for both IDPs and host communities.

Figure 1: Sitwe map

Data

Data was collected over a two-week period, from 19 to 26 March 2025, through a structured face-to-face interview process involving a total of 600 respondents, comprising 300 internally displaced persons (IDPs) and 300 members of the host community in Sittwe. The interviews were designed to ensure a balanced gender representation, achieving a 50/50 split between male and female respondents, to capture diverse perspectives and experiences of both groups.

Figure 2: Sample allocation

Group Sample Percent
Overall 600 100%
Internal displaced persons 310 52%
Host community members 290 48%
Host (Rakhine) 135 52%
Host (Rohingya) 125 48%

In addition to the quantitative data gathered from the structured interviews, qualitative interviews were conducted with IDPs, host community members, and representatives from civil society organizations (CSOs) in Sittwe, to enrich the overall understanding of the quantitative findings and offer a more comprehensive view of the situation in Sittwe.

Well-being status

The Household Well-being Index assesses living conditions, access to basic services, and livelihoods to categorize household well-being within the study population. The survey highlights stark disparities between internally displaced persons (IDPs) and host community members.

Nearly 49% of IDPs are in the poorest quartile (Q1), underscoring dire living conditions, compared to just 2% of host community members. Among the host community, 29% of the Rakhine are in the poorer quartiles (Q1 and Q2), while only 8% of the Rohingya are similarly classified, indicating relatively worse living conditions for the Rakhine.

This situation is attributed to wealthier and middle-class Rakhine individuals leaving Sittwe, leaving behind predominantly poor Rakhine residents.

Food insecurity

The Household Hunger Score (HHS) indicates that 8% of households experience severe hunger, 42% face moderate hunger, and 50% report little to no hunger.

IDP households show a slightly higher prevalence of severe hunger at 10% compared to 7% in host community households. Host communities, however, have more households facing moderate hunger (46%) than IDPs (38%). Overall, the difference in hunger levels between IDPs and host communities are not statistically significant.

Within the host community, Rakhine households suffer more from severe hunger (10%) compared to Rohingya households (4%). Conversely, 58% of Rohingya households experience moderate hunger, higher than the 32% of Rakhine households.

Reduced consumption

The data on reduced meal times and amounts underscores the food insecurity challenges faced by Sittwe residents. Overall, 74% of households have reduced their meal times, and 82% have reduced the amount of food consumed, highlighting the widespread prevalence of food insecurity among households remaining in Sittwe.

Support reliance

Nearly half (48%) of households in Sittwe receive support from international and UN agencies, with heavily skewed aid towards internally displaced persons (IDPs). A significant 80% of IDP households report receiving assistance, compared to only 14% in host communities. Among those receiving aid, 93% receive food aid, 77% cash assistance, 35% medical aid, 25% shelter, and 2% education support.

Requested support needs

In Sittwe, households heavily reliant on aid have found it insufficient, prompting urgent requests for prioritized support. Food assistance is the top priority for 96% of households due to severe food insecurity affecting both IDPs and host communities. Medical aid is requested by 39%, highlighting the need for healthcare access, while 32% seek shelter assistance to address precarious living conditions. Livelihood support is critical, with 35% requesting help to maintain household economy, and 16% seek educational support for children.

For medium-term recovery, 70% of respondents request livelihood support to reduce aid dependency. Security enhancements are requested by 67% amid ongoing conflict. Improved housing conditions are crucial, with 67% requesting better shelter, particularly among IDPs (81%). Legal aid, though requested by 9%, remains important for addressing rights and access issues.

Conclusion

The findings of this study highlight the severe challenges faced by both IDPs and host communities in Sittwe, underscoring the urgent need for critical assistance. Despite significant reliance on aid, many households find it insufficient, prompting requests for prioritized interventions in food, medical, shelter, and livelihood support. Addressing these needs is crucial for immediate relief and medium-term recovery, with a focus on reducing aid dependency, enhancing security, and improving housing conditions. The study calls for coordinated efforts to build resilience and stability among Sittwe residents and the wider population in Rakhine.