"DESPERATE JOURNEYS: ROHINGYA REFUGEES IN SEARCH OF PROTECTION Over 1 million Rohingya, a stateless Muslim minority from Myanmar, have fled conflict and persecution in Myanmar in successive waves of displacement. The largest exodus took place in August 2017, when more than 742,000 individuals fled from Myanmar to Bangladesh. The region now hosts 1.1 million Rohingya refugees with limited opportunities to develop self-reliance. With dwindling humanitarian assistance, many risk their lives, undertaking desperate journeys1 in search of safety and solutions. For additional information and statistics, please visit the Myanmar Situation Data Portal. DEVELOPMENTS IN 2023 A total of 6,500 persons attempted land and sea movements in 2023. With nearly 4,500 Rohingya refugees embarking on perilous sea journeys and 569 people reported deceased or missing, 2023 was the deadliest year on record for maritime movements in the region since the 2015 Andaman Sea crisis. Out of the 6,500 individuals travelling by land and sea, nearly all the 569 persons reported as dead or missing were from maritime movements. In addition to sea movements, around 2,000 Rohingya refugees are known to have undertaken land movements in 2023, with the vast majority reporting detention by authorities or other protection risks along the land routes.2 Given the lack of access and information on the often-clandestine land movements, the actual figures are likely to be higher. On the land route, four persons died and 10 were injured in a car accident in Thailand. Compared to 2022, the number of persons embarking on sea journeys increased by 21 per cent while the number of dead or missing rose by 63 per cent. In contrast, a 170 per cent drop was observed for land movements. As observed in the last Quarterly Update, the trend projection of increased perilous maritime movements was confirmed by the end of 2023. Reportedly, additional boats are currently (as of 31 Jan 2024) at sea and with the so called ‘sailing season’ expected to last until March/April 2024, more boats are foreseen to depart the coming months in the Andaman Sea and the Bay of Bengal. At least seven known tragic accidents at sea occurred, resulting in 250 confirmed deaths and 319 persons missing between January and December 2023. In addition, widespread physical abuse, including Gender-Based Violence, was reported by the survivors. Over 2,400 Rohingya refugees are currently detained in countries along the route outside of Myanmar on immigration charges, often indefinitely and without due process of the law. Out of these, 72 have serious medical conditions 195 are minors, of whom 126 are unaccompanied or separated children. A significant number of these Rohingya refugee detainees have been incarcerated for prolonged periods that span several years. Within Myanmar, over 1,500 Rohingya were detained from January to December 2023, resulting in an estimated total of 3,900 Rohingya in detention. With restricted access by UNHCR and partners to detention centres, the actual figure may be significantly higher..."