Myanmar

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Some biannual results (2019)

7687people are more resilient to shocks
2352informal settlers in Yangon's urban area have clean drinking water
373people have received first aid training
342displaced or resettled people have safe and dignified shelters

Global Peace Index

126/ 163

GPI Rank

Political Instability

Safety & Security

Ongoing Conflict

Source: Global Peace Index (2020)

Country Office

Yangon, Myanmar

D-B, Myint Zu Street
Mayangone Tsp
Yangon, Myanmar

89 Thamein Baran Street
Min Kyi Nyo Road
Taungoo, Myanmar

Cordaid Representative Myanmar

Paul Roelofsen

[email protected]

Cordaid in Myanmar

Cordaid’s first involvement with Myanmar was in 2008, in the aftermath of Cyclone Nargis. Currently, Cordaid works in Myanmar in the thematic areas of humanitarian aid, resilience and disaster risk reduction.

Where does Cordaid work?

Cordaid's areas of intervention include Kayin State, Mandalay division Yangon Region, Magway Region, Kachin and North Shan States.

54,4 Million

Population

Rural population

Urban population

6.5% annual

GDP growth

24.5 per 1,000

Mortality rate, neonatal

Source: worldbank.org

Current situation

After decades of isolation, Myanmar started to undertake major reforms toward a democratic system and market-based economy. The country has strong potential for broad economic expansion, possessing abundant natural resources, a strategic location, a young population, and a sizable market with wide-ranging investment opportunities. Successful national elections, held in November 2015, represented an important milestone in Myanmar’s political transition.

However, Myanmar faces a number of significant challenges. It must achieve and maintain stability, both on the macroeconomic front and in terms of peace and reconciliation. It must tackle substantive infrastructure and human resources deficits. It must sustain its reform momentum toward good governance, effective public sector management and a conducive business environment. Last but not least, it is at constant risk of some of the worst recurring natural disasters in the world, and a fierce impact of climate change.

Myanmar is the third country most affected by extreme weather events in the past two decades between 1997 and 2016, with the highest overall death toll (Germanwatch Global Climate Risk Index 2018). 25,6% of its population live under the national poverty line and 67% of paid workers earn less than USD 2 per day (World Bank data). The UNDP Human Development Report 2017 ranks Myanmar number 148. Myanmar ranks 8th on the EU Inform Index of Fragility, while the Fund for Peace puts it at the 26th rank, well within the alert zone.

Despite the nascent peace process, the country is still marred by continuous conflict and recurring natural disasters, leading to a high vulnerability of large amounts of people. Post-2011 transformations seemed to offer substantial opportunities and to provide for a government mentality of openness to cooperation. This made Myanmar a highly suitable country for Cordaid's strategic agenda of building resilient and flourishing communities in fragile settings.

Since early October 2016, the Northern Rakhine State is becoming increasingly more insecure after clashes between military forces and the Rohingya minority. In 2017, the situation deteriorated dramatically after intensified security operations by the Myanmar military displacing nearly one million Rohingya.

In 2021, the country faced yet another upheaval. On February 1st, 2021, the military seized control, and elected leader Aung San Suu Kyi and members of her party were among hundreds of people to be detained. Mass protests started taking place across Myanmar, and within a month dozens of civilian casualties were to be deplored.

Cordaid in Myanmar

Cordaid strengthens community and urban resilience while responding to the humanitarian needs of conflict-affected people. We use integrated approaches, including emergency planning support, climate resilient agriculture activities, and improving access to contingency funds through Loan and Saving groups.

In Kayin State, Cordaid improves the resilience of farmers by linking them to Loan and Saving groups. This gives them access to village funds they can use in times of stress and adversity. Most of the groups are either mixed male/female or only female. This allows women to have more decision making power when it comes to resources and how to mobilize them. It also increases their self-confidence, giving them the courage to speak out in village meetings and to contribute to community issues. In Kayin State, Cordaid also works on community managed disaster risk reduction (CMDRR).

In Yangon Region, Cordaid works with local authorities to develop or improve emergency plans in slum areas to increase resilience against shocks, like flooding, fire or health hazards.

In Magway Region, Cordaid works with flood-affected communities to increase their awareness of disaster risk due to flooding and other hazards and to implement appropriate DRR measures.

Cordaid helps the community by mapping the risks and creating contingency and mitigation plans following a proven disaster risk reduction method. Image: Mickael Franci.

In Kachin and North Shan, Cordaid builds safe and dignified shelters for resettled families and for internally displaced people who reside in camps.

Partners and donors

In Myanmar Cordaid is working closely with Caritas Myanmar (KMSS), and with the Karen Baptist Convention (KBC).

We have 6 international partners: ZOA, World Concern Myanmar, SNV, Terre Des Hommes Italy, L-ift and the Royal Haskoning/DHV.

Currently our main donor is the Livelihood and Food security Trust Fund, a pooled fund of 13 back donors, mainly embassies, managed by UNOPS. Until recently, RVO also supported Cordaid’s work in Myanmar.