The south eastern State of Kayah sits on the international border with Thailand and borders neighbouring states of Kayin and Shan (South). The state covers 11,731 km2, being Myanmar’s second smallest State by land mass, and consists of 7 townships and Loikaw is the capital city. Kayah is the nation’s smallest state by population with an estimated 0.35 million people (2023 UNFPA Projections), or nearly 30 people per square kilometre.

One of Myanmar’s most war-affected States/Regions since 2021, Kayah has seen 131,600 people displaced as of 11 Aug 2025 (about one-third of the State’s population). There have been many challenges, particularly acute water shortages among displaced persons (UNICEF, May 2024). The State was also affected by Typhoon Yagi–related flooding in 2024 and the March 2025 earthquake.