Kayin State sits on the international border with Thailand and borders the national states/regions of Kayah, Nay Pyi Taw, Bago, and Mon. The state covers 30,385 km2, and consists of 7 townships. Hpa-An is the capacity city of Kayin State. The state’s population is 1.64 million (2023 UNFPA Projections), or 54 people per square kilometre.

Since 2021, conflict along the Myawaddy–Kawkareik Asian Highway (AH1) and surrounding areas has disrupted aid and trade. The conflict has displaced an estimated 257,400 people from Kayin State as of 11 Aug 2025. There are formal refugee settlements along the Thai border. The State is also prone to floods and landslides, and the risk is compounded by the presence of landmines and unexploded ordnance (UXO). Aid access is largely constrained by landmines and UXO, physical barriers such as destroyed roads and bridges, and severe restrictions on reaching the population (HADR, Jan 2025).