Almost two months since Myanmar was impacted by severe flooding, more than 1 million people have been affected, including approximately 600,000 women and girls who face unique and heightened challenges, from health risks to protection needs. The Myanmar Gender in Humanitarian Action Working Group (GiHA WG) has issued its second Gender-Impact Flood Update to provide insight into how the humanitarian community in Myanmar is addressing the specific needs of women and girls impacted by the floods.Read the full Gender-Impact Flood Update No. 2Restoring dignity through essential hygiene supportAccess to clean water and sanitary facilities has become a critical concern. After food, hygiene items are the second-highest need in flood-affected areas.[1] Dignity kits—containing sanitary products, soap, and other hygiene essentials—are being distributed by UN Women, UNFPA and their partners. These kits promote physical and psychological well-being, empowering women and girls to feel more confident and secure. Distributing the kits provides community volunteers and other humanitarian actors an entry point to engage with women and girls and share information about how to access available services.Delivering essential maternal and reproductive careThe crisis has severely impacted Myanmar's healthcare infrastructure, with damaged roads and facilities preventing people from accessing health services. Women of reproductive age and pregnant women are among the most vulnerable because they need specialised services that are not easily accessible amid the crisis. In response, mobile clinics operated by UNFPA and local partners are reaching these women, providing maternal health care and family planning services.These mobile clinics offer more than just physical care—they deliver a sense of relief to women like Moe Moe from Kayin State, who is eight months pregnant and shared, “I finally feel like I can breathe again, knowing I have the support and care I need for me and my baby.” In addition to the mobile clinics, clean delivery kits are being distributed to help pregnant women without access to health facilities deliver safely, even in challenging conditions. 
Livelihood support and economic empowermentFor women, who face increased care responsibilities amid the crisis, and additional barriers to mobility and employment opportunities, the economic impacts of the floods are severe. The floods have destroyed farmland, livestock and agricultural equipment – decimating sources of income for women in agriculture and small-scale businesses. The floods have also scattered existing landmines, including shifting them into farmlands and other locations, putting farmers at risk. Local women-led organizations are emphasizing the need for targeted livelihood support, "Most women are calling for their urgent need for livelihood assistance to be recognized and addressed directly," said one GiHA member. Support for income generation is critical not only for immediate recovery but also for ensuring women’s long-term resilience.Safeguarding educationFor young girls, the flood’s impact on education poses additional risks. Damaged schools and financial pressures on families make it more likely that girls will drop out of school, increasing the risk of early marriage or child labour. Local organisations also report school-aged girls in flood-affected areas are taking on household and care work, such as looking after younger siblings, cooking and cleaning. This decreases the time they have available to attend school. To help combat this, Essential Learning Packs have been distributed to nearly 10,000 students, including 5,000 girls. Training local teachers, 75% of whom are women, is another critical component of the education response. Capacity-building efforts equip teachers to address the specific needs of girls and boys affected by the floods, helping to provide a stable environment for students during this difficult time.[2] Protection against gender-based violenceThe impact of displacement and crowded shelters has heightened the risk of GBV, with 67% of camps reporting safety concerns for women and girls.[3] In response, humanitarian organizations are working to establish safe spaces for women and girls, and raise awareness of available hotlines/helplines and referral services, enabling survivors of violence to access the help they need. However, limited access to remote areas remains a challenge, underscoring the importance of ongoing advocacy for unrestricted, unimpeded access to affected regions.Women are critical to the responseLocal women volunteers are playing a critical role in the response efforts, from distributing dignity kits to providing information on health services. These women bridge the gap between humanitarian aid providers and affected communities, especially in remote areas where access remains restricted. Their efforts demonstrate the resilience and leadership of women on the front lines, ensuring that their communities are supported and that critical resources reach those in need.Urgent call for increased funding and accessAs the flood response continues, funding remains a significant constraint. With only 28.5% of the 2024 Humanitarian Needs Plan funded, there is an urgent need for additional resources. The Central Emergency Relief Fund (CERF) has allocated $4 million, and donors have contributed an additional $3 million, but more support is required to sustain the response.Unrestricted access to all affected areas is essential for delivering aid to the most vulnerable. [1]Finding from UNOCHA analysis of 230 assessments completed across flood-affected areas, October 2024.[2]Myanmar Education Cluster, October 2024.[3] Findings from UNOCHA analysis of assessments completed across flood-affected areas, October 2024.*This story was originally published on the UN Women Asia and the Pacific.

Since 9 September 2024, flooding and mudslides triggered by monsoon rains and the remnants of Typhoon Yagi have devastated 70 townships across 11 states and regions in Myanmar. More than 1 million people are estimated to have been affected—60 per cent of which are women and girls—and more than 360 fatalities have so far been reported. Women and girls are being disproportionately impacted by the flooding as it exacerbates existing vulnerabilities and inequalities, including heightening their risk of experiencing gender-based violence (GBV), economic exclusion, and health crises. To better understand the gender-specific needs of the situation and ensure these needs are considered in every part of the flood response, the Myanmar Gender in Humanitarian Action Working Group is releasing situation reports on the impacts of the flooding on women and girls. →Read Gender-Impact Flash Update No. 1.  The working group is co-chaired by UN Women and UNFPA and brings together civil society, communities, women’s rights organizations, non-governmental organizations, UN agencies, donors, and other stakeholders in Myanmar to ensure humanitarian responses address the gender-specific needs of everyone affected. The following summary captures the key gender-specific impacts and needs identified by working group members through their field staff, volunteers, networks, and the communities they work in. For more in-depth analysis, please read the full Gender-Impact Flash Update.    The rising risk of gender-based violenceOne of the most urgent concerns is the increased risk of gender-based violence. Women and girls are particularly vulnerable to early marriage, unsafe migration, and trafficking as they flee to shelters or as families resort to dangerous coping mechanisms. Without safe spaces, including gender-segregated latrines and bathing facilities, women and girls are vulnerable to exploitation and violence in overcrowded and poorly equipped temporary shelters. The lack of privacy threatens their physical safety and denies women and girls – including those who are pregnant, lactating or menstruating – their dignity in the face of an already traumatic situation.The social and economic upheaval caused by the disaster has also led to increased tensions within households, which organizations on the ground say is fuelling a spike in intimate partner violence.Economic exclusion of womenWith the destruction of farmlands and livestock, women working in small-scale farming and informal economies have lost their primary income sources. The floods have also amplified pre-existing gender inequalities. In the wake of the disaster, many women are taking on additional responsibilities for caring for children, the elderly, and other dependents, further limiting their ability to engage in income-generating activities or recovery efforts. This cycle of economic exclusion and increased care responsibilities leaves women even more vulnerable to poverty and exploitation. Lack of healthcare meeting women’s and girls’ needsMany health facilities have been damaged or are unreachable due to fuel shortages and damage to roads. Where health care is accessible, it often does not include the specific services many women and girls need, including access to contraceptives, antenatal care, and safe childbirth services. Compounding these challenges, many women are unaware of where to access healthcare due to the destruction of communication networks.Lack of safe food and waterAs inflation rises and food prices soar, food insecurity has become another critical issue. Nutritious food, particularly that containing the nutrients pregnant and lactating women need, is scarce, and many families are struggling to meet their basic needs.Contaminated water sources have led to outbreaks of diarrhoea and food poisoning, placing additional strain on already weakened health systems. For women and girls, the shortage of menstrual hygiene products and the absence of private sanitation facilities have further compromised their health and dignity. Urgent action needed As Myanmar faces one of its most devastating flooding crises, it is crucial that the response addresses the specific needs of women and girls. Local humanitarian organizations, including women-led and women’s rights organizations, are on the front line of the response, but they are critically underfunded. Without immediate and sustained interventions, the long-term impact on these vulnerable populations will be catastrophic. Almost 11 months into the year, the 2024 Humanitarian Needs and Response Plan is only 28 per cent funded. To sustain the delivery of emergency assistance, additional resources are urgently needed. To find out more about the gender-specific needs of women and girls affected by the current flooding, read the full Gender-Impact Flash Update: Myanmar Flooding, No.1. For the latest updates and resources on the flooding, visit the Monsoon Flooding 2024 resource page on the Myanmar Information Management Unit (MIMU) website. 

As we mark International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction (IDRR) 2024, UNDP Myanmar reflects on the ongoing need to enhance community resilience and preparedness in the face of increasing climate-induced disasters. The recent impact of Typhoon Yagi in September reminds us of the importance of disaster risk reduction at the community level. In September 2024, Typhoon Yagi caused heavy rains and severe flooding across nine states and regions, including Southern and Eastern Shan, Kayah, Mandalay, Naypyidaw, Magway, Kayin, Bago, and Mon. Thousands of homes were submerged, and livelihoods disrupted, exacerbating the hardships faced by communities already dealing with conflict and socioeconomic challenges. In response to these challenges, UNDP, through its Enabling Community Recovery and Resilience (ENCORE) project, has been working closely with affected communities to support recovery efforts and build long-term resilience. The ENCORE project is a key part of our work to empower communities and foster preparedness for future disasters.  Immediate Response: Supporting Communities Post-Disaster
In the aftermath of Typhoon Yagi, UNDP is distributing Household Emergency Assistance Packages (HEAP) to thousands of flood-affected households. These packages, including hygiene kits, food, tools, clothing, and basic medical supplies, are being delivered to the vulnerable communities in regions such as Nyaung U Township in Mandalay region, Kamma and Sinbaungwe in Magway region, Hpa An in Kayin State, Bago region and Southern Shan State, including Taunggyi, Kalaw, and Nyaung Shwe townships  Fostering Early Preparedness and Risk Awareness
A cornerstone of our efforts in disaster risk reduction is ensuring that communities are educated and equipped to respond before disasters strike. UNDP disseminates weather forecasts and early warning information through the SEAD Agro-Advisory Viber community, enabling real-time updates that help at-risk populations take precautions. Through this platform, we educate communities on understanding weather patterns, improving their disaster preparedness, and strengthening their capacity to act when emergencies arise.  Additionally, we are set to launch risk management and awareness training, aimed at helping communities recognize and address disaster risks more proactively. These initiatives are designed to empower local community leaders and residents with the knowledge and tools to take effective measures during crisis situations.Strengthening Community Infrastructure
A key aspect of resilience is ensuring that local infrastructure is built to withstand future disasters. Through the ENCORE project, UNDP is working with communities to reinforce vital infrastructure in flood-prone and vulnerable regions. These efforts include upgrading community facilities and improving infrastructure that can reduce the impact of natural hazards, ensuring that communities are better equipped to recover and thrive after crises. Moving Forward
As we commemorate IDRR 2024, our focus remains on sustainable community resilience. While addressing immediate needs is essential, long-term investments in disaster risk reduction and preparedness are critical to reducing vulnerability. UNDP Myanmar will continue working alongside local communities and partners to build stronger, more resilient societies that can adapt to and overcome future challenges. *This story was originally published on the UNDP Myanmar website. 

"The water rushed into my house. In just a few minutes, everything I owned was gone—my home, my small farm, livestock, and everything I belonged to. I can’t even imagine how we will recover from this," says Nang, a pregnant woman, her voice trembling with grief. Displaced by the floods that have swept through her village in Shan State, Nang, like so many other women, now faces an uncertain future in a crowded shelter.Her story is one of thousands emerging from Myanmar as the country battles one of its worst flood disasters in recent history. Torrential monsoon rains, exacerbated by Typhoon Yagi, have unleashed widespread devastation across Myanmar, affecting 1 million people across 70 townships. The floods, which began in early September, have submerged homes, destroyed farmlands, and forced entire communities to flee to temporary shelters.As the floodwaters continue to rise, the most vulnerable—women and children—are suffering the greatest impacts. Many, like Nang, have lost their homes and livelihoods. The flood has affected nearly half of Myanmar’s 14 states and regions, including Kayin, Mandalay, Rakhine, and Shan. Throughout the country, the scale of the disaster is overwhelming. Entire communities have been engulfed by floodwaters, destroying crops, livestock, and homes. Although humanitarian efforts are underway, they are encountering significant challenges. Damaged infrastructure, blocked roads, and ongoing conflict in certain states and regions have made it difficult to access many of those in need. The hardest-hit regions, including Mandalay, eastern Bago, Kayin, Mon, and southern Shan, are in urgent need of emergency aid as communities struggle with the loss of their homes and livelihoods.As the rainfall persists and river levels increase, the risk of more flooding remains high, and the difficulties of providing aid to affected areas are growing. The country is facing dual crises of conflict and flooding, leaving many women with nowhere to turn. According to the report by UNOCHA as of 27th September 2024, 600,000 women were affected by the flood nationwide, with 270,000 of them being of reproductive age and 13,000 pregnant. Thida, who is eight months pregnant, is living in a crowded shelter after her home was destroyed by the flood. She described the overwhelming fear that grips her daily. "I was already worried about my pregnancy because of the conflict," she says. "Now, with the flood, it feels like everything is against us." Road blockages and damaged infrastructure have made it nearly impossible for her to access healthcare, leaving her uncertain about her baby’s safety. UNFPA partners' mobile clinics play a crucial role in this challenging environment. These clinics offer vital sexual and reproductive health (SRH) services, including maternal health care and family planning (contraceptive) services to the affected population. Despite the logistical challenges posed by the floodwaters, these mobile units are reaching women in remote areas and shelters, providing life-saving care. For many women, these clinics are their only access to healthcare, as local health facilities have been affected by floods or are still inaccessible.Moe Moe, an eight-month-pregnant woman from Kayin State, shared how the mobile clinic made a crucial difference for her. “I experienced flooding three times in the recent months of 2024. I was so worried for my baby in this difficult situation. I hadn’t been able to see a doctor since the flooding started. When the mobile clinic came to the place near where we live, I was so happy. They checked my baby’s health and gave me the vitamins and a clean delivery kit. I finally feel like I can breathe again, knowing I have the support and care I need for me and my baby,” she said with relief. UNFPA’s clean delivery kits have provided critical support for pregnant women like Moe Moe, who are unable to get to a health facility during a crisis or emergency situation, preventing deadly infections and ensuring safe deliveries. "I was terrified that I wouldn't have access to a safe delivery. The mobile clinic brought me a clean delivery kit, and it gave me hope that, even in this situation, I can give birth safely," she says. The kits contain sterile supplies for childbirth, including a plastic sheet, a sterile towel, sterile gloves, an apron, soap, a sterile blade, an umbilical cord tie, and an information sheet for safe delivery.
  In addition, Dignity kits containing essential hygiene products like sanitary pads, soap, and undergarments are another crucial intervention for humanitarian-affected women and girls. For Thandar, a 30-year-old woman, these kits have made an enormous difference. “Unlike men, women could not stay at the displacement shelter without proper clothing and protection. Having these hygiene products helps us feel a little more in control and confident,” she says. Yet, despite the relief these UNFPA’s dignity kits provide, the overwhelming need for safe, gender-segregated sanitation facilities in the shelters remains unmet. Many women, displaced by the floods and living in temporary shelters, are also struggling to access contraceptives. Nway Nway, a mother of three children, expressed her concerns. “After the repeated floodings in Kayin during this rainy season, I couldn’t get my contraceptives, and I’m not ready to have another child. I went to the mobile clinic, and they were able to provide me with what I needed. Without that, I don’t know what I would have done,” she explained.The mobile clinics are providing not just maternal health services but also essential contraceptive services to women who would otherwise be left vulnerable to unplanned pregnancies or unwanted pregnancies in already dire conditions. With healthcare centres damaged and transportation routes cut off, these services are critical for women to regain control over their reproductive health. In the displacement camps and temporary shelters, women are facing more than just the loss of their homes and livelihoods. Many have become targets of violence, as the displacement caused by the floods has made them even more vulnerable. The lack of privacy, overcrowded living conditions, and insufficient security in the camps have led to an increase in Gender-Based Violence (GBV). GBV prevention and response have become increasingly challenging in the ongoing conflict, where access to affected areas is restricted, and GBV support services are limited. A local GBV organization supported by UNFPA shared the challenges they face: “In the midst of floodings, we are trying every option and using every available resource to continue supporting displaced women affected by GBV at their home or temporary displacement shelter. The political situation makes it even more difficult, but we know we need to help and protect each other in these challenging times with the limited support available.” At the heart of the response are community volunteers like Htar, whose dedication has been instrumental in supporting affected women and girls during the floods. Volunteers have been working tirelessly alongside UNFPA and other partners to distribute relief items such as dignity kits and raise awareness about available health services. They also serve as crucial links between the affected communities and healthcare service providers, ensuring that women in the most remote areas are reached.Htar, a local youth volunteer from Kayin State, spoke passionately about the urgency of their work: “In a disaster like this, we know that time is everything. The sooner we reach the affected people, the better chance they have of staying healthy and safe. With the support of UNFPA, we’ve been able to distribute dignity kits and clean delivery kits in the affected areas within 72 hours. Some team members are providing relief support in affected areas, while others are trying to connect with local donors and service providers for immediate support, and some are collecting data on the affected to identify urgent locations in need. We know that our work is risky, and the conditions are tough, but seeing the smiles on people’s faces makes all the hardship and exhaustion fade away.”As the floodwaters begin to recede, the challenges remain immense. Women and girls continue to bear the brunt of the crisis, facing heightened risks of GBV, poor access to reproductive healthcare, and disruption of their livelihoods and incomes. UNFPA’s support through partners on the ground, including mobile clinics, dignity kits, clean delivery kits, and family planning services, is critical to ensuring their health, safety, and dignity. However, the need for more funding and resources is urgent. According to UNOCHA, only 28% of the 2024 Humanitarian Needs and Response Plan has been funded, leaving large gaps in the response. This funding shortfall is even more acute in services aimed at GBV prevention and response, with only about 12% of the required funds received, which is less than half of that for the overall HNRP. This drastic underfunding severely limits the ability to provide adequate support to women and girls who are at an increased risk of gender-based violence in the chaotic conditions of displacement camps. For women like Nang, Moe Moe, and Nway Nway, the flood has completely disrupted their lives in ways they never anticipated. However, with the ongoing support of community members, youth volunteers, local service providers, and humanitarian partners, there is hope that they can start to rebuild not only their homes but also their futures.The story of Myanmar's flood crisis is full of challenges, but it also reflects resilience and hope. With continued support, the women of Myanmar can transition from merely surviving to thriving, guiding their communities toward a stronger, more resilient future.  *This story was originally published on the UNFPA Myanmar website.