United Nations in Myanmar

The Sustainable Development Goals are a global call to action to end poverty, protect the earth’s environment and climate, and ensure that people everywhere can enjoy peace and prosperity. These are the goals the UN is working on in Myanmar:

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Video

24 October 2024

Secretary-General's Video Message for United Nations Day

The United Nations was built by the world, for the world. Since 1945, it has been the place for countries to unite behind global solutions to global problems. Solutions that ease tensions, build bridges and forge peace. Solutions to eradicate poverty, spur sustainable development, and stand up for the most vulnerable. Solutions that deliver lifesaving relief to people living through conflicts, violence, economic hardship, and climate disasters. Solutions that level the scales of justice and equality for women and girls. Solutions that tackle issues that were unimaginable in 1945 — climate change, digital technology, artificial intelligence, and outer space. In September, the General Assembly adopted the Pact for the Future, the Global Digital Compact and the Declaration on Future Generations. Together, these milestone agreements will help ensure that the United Nations system adapts, reforms and rejuvenates, so it is fit for the changes and challenges around us and delivers solutions for all. But our work will always be rooted in the timeless values and principles of the UN Charter and international law, and in the dignity and human rights of every person. In today’s troubled world, hope is not enough. Hope requires determined action and multilateral solutions for peace, shared prosperity and a thriving planet. Hope requires all countries working as one. Hope requires the United Nations. On United Nations Day, I call on all countries to keep this beacon for the world, and its ideals, shining.

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Press Release

18 September 2024

WFP to Launch Myanmar Flood Response to People Affected by Typhoon Yagi

YANGON – The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) is gearing up to launch a rapid flood response this week in Myanmar to provide emergency food assistance to people in areas submerged by floods following the passage of Super Typhoon Yagi over the past few days. This response is a major scale-up in WFP flood relief efforts ongoing since July. Bago, Kayah, Kayin, Magway, Mandalay, Mon, Nay Pyi Taw and Shan states have been facing heavy rains, severe flooding and landslides caused by the Super Typhoon that hit Myanmar on September 11th. The floods have so far caused several hundred deaths and affected at least 631,000 people across the country. “Super Typhoon Yagi has caused the most severe floods in Myanmar’s recent history. Much of the country is submerged and some areas are witnessing their first floods in decades”, said Sheela Matthew, WFP Myanmar Representative. “The impact on food security will be nothing less than devastating. More than 13 million people were already facing food insecurity in August before the floods hit. Our teams are working around the clock to respond to the growing needs”, she added. WFP will provide a one-month ration of emergency food, including rice, fortified biscuits, and nutrition products to up to half a million flood-affected people, ensuring immediate food needs are met. Meanwhile, WFP teams are working with partner organisations to assess the impact on crops, livelihoods, and people's ability to access food. Prior to Typhoon Yagi, WFP had already reached 185,000 flood-affected people in Myanmar with emergency assistance in July and August in response to floods that inundated hundreds of thousands of acres of farmland. Photos are available in this link.

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Speech

19 June 2024

Statement by Volker Türk, United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights

Mr. President,
Excellencies,
Distinguished delegates,As we convene here in the Council, yet again discussing Myanmar, we are bearing witness to a country being suffocated by an illegitimate military regime.Myanmar is in agonizing pain.And the disintegration of human rights continues at breakneck speed.This is a crisis emblematic of a decades-long legacy of military domination, the stifling of dissent, and division.And right now, these very same dynamics are playing out in terrifying form with the Rohingya and Rakhine communities.We are hearing stories of horrific war tactics, such as beheadings.Midnight drone attacks.The burning of homes as people sleep.People being shot at as they flee for their lives.The military has lost control over a considerable amount of territory. So it is resorting to increasingly extreme measures.Forced conscription. Indiscriminate bombardment of towns and villages. Brutal atrocity crimes.Mr. President,I have just returned from a visit to south-east Asia.I had the opportunity to hear from Myanmar civil society on the spiralling regional impacts of the crisis and the urgent need for leadership and influence to halt this catastrophe.The Myanmar military continues to gain access to foreign currency and weapons it needs to sustain its campaign of terror, while international financial support for the people of Myanmar is meagre at best.But I also witnessed a profound sense of hope. In my discussions with Myanmar civil society, human rights defenders and refugee communities, it was clear to see there is a new generation of young people from all ethnic communities leading the struggle to create an inclusive vision for the future of Myanmar.In Malaysia, I met with representatives of almost all ethnic communities – together. A few years ago, it would have been unthinkable to meet with Rohingya and other ethnic communities around one table. I was moved by their solidarity and shared hopes.In Thailand, representatives of Myanmar civil society and human rights defenders from different communities and backgrounds were also united by a common sense of purpose. Their rejection of the military’s seizure of power and violence. Their demand for accountability. Their desire for a better future.These young people have strong expectations of the international community. They seek for the extent of Myanmar’s suffering to be genuinely acknowledged and given the attention it deserves. They hope that funding will be made available to those on the ground to deliver humanitarian assistance and services directly to communities throughout the country. They have risked their lives and livelihoods to help communities in need and resist the repression by the military.And with them, a future is possible.Mr. President,We are witnessing a people’s revolution against decades of oppression and violence.In some areas outside the military’s control, new local governance structures have emerged, supported by ethnic armed groups and activists alike. They are providing food, shelter, education and healthcare for hundreds of thousands who are otherwise receiving little to no humanitarian support.And they are delivering critically needed protection services in the complete absence of a functioning public system.The Karenni Interim Executive Council in Kayah State, for example, has created a local governance system, where seven members have been elected by the people to respond to the community’s needs.I call on all anti-military armed groups to ensure the protection of civilians, defectors and surrendees at all times.Mr. President,The people of Myanmar must be spared more despair, more suffering, more fear.Armed conflicts continue to rage brutally across the country, taking an increasingly grim toll on the lives of civilians. My Office is investigating several reported attacks against civilians in Rakhine State and Sagaing over recent days with large numbers of civilians allegedly killed -- in airstrikes, naval artillery barrages and shootings.I am very concerned about the situation in Maungdaw. The Arakan Army this weekend gave all remaining residents – including a large Rohingya population – a warning to evacuate. But Rohingya have no options. There is nowhere to flee.Following a similar pattern in Buthidaung, where Rohingya were ordered to flee, and then the town burned, I fear we are – yet again -- about to bear witness to displacement, destruction and abuses. The military also reportedly ordered evacuation of ethnic Rakhine villages around Sittwe, where they have been conducting mass arrests in recent days.In another instance, the village of Byaing Phyu was reportedly emptied of its several hundred residents, as the military tried to identify men of fighting age who sympathised with their armed opponent, the Arakan Army.Men were separated from women. Dozens of men were allegedly tortured, shot and killed. Multiple reports allege that at least five women were also raped and killed in the incident. Their village was burned. Hundreds of men taken away are now missing.In a cynical move, the military has pressured and threatened young Rohingya men to join their ranks. Some reports have indicated thousands of Rohingya youth have been conscripted into the very same forces that displaced hundreds of thousands of their community in 2016 and 2017.In response, the Arakan Army has exhorted Rohingya to fight with them against the military. They have targeted their communities by forcibly displacing residents. On multiple occasions, they have detained or killed men of fighting age who they suspected of taking up arms against them.These tactics have brought back the shocking images and memories from 2017 of systematic terrorisation, persecution and forced displacement of populations. Today, sections of Maungdaw and Buthidaung have been alternately burned. Ethnic Rakhine houses and neighbourhoods were set alight, followed days later by the burning of Rohingya villages.And tens of thousands of civilians from these communities have been forced to flee, among them entire Rohingya communities with no guarantees of finding safe haven. Over one million Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh are still living in limbo in dire conditions, with no prospect for durable solutions.All this, in the face of binding provisional measures ordered by the International Court of Justice for the protection of Rohingya while it examines the case alleging genocide brought before it by the Gambia and other intervening Member States. Accountability, including in proceedings currently pending before the International Criminal Court, is absolutely critical. The failures to ensure accountability in Myanmar’s past transition, are now allowing history to repeat itself and are haunting the present and the future.Mr. President,The situation in Rakhine State is – tragically – just one example of how this coup, which has resulted in three years of conflict, has brought pain and suffering to an entire country.The attacks by the military have been, and continue to be, indiscriminate.Since February 2021, at least 5,280 civilians, including 1,022 women and 667 children, have been killed at the hands of the military. At least 26,865 individuals have been arrested and 20,592 remain in detention.There are now three million people internally displaced by these conflicts, the vast majority still without proper shelter. Without access to food or water. Without essential medicines and healthcare. And so many more of the cruel consequences of the military’s continued denial of humanitarian access remain invisible and under-reported. Mr. President,The violence must end. The attacks against civilians must end. The forced conscription must end. And the denial of humanitarian assistance must end. I urge all parties to prevent the recurrence of the atrocity crimes committed against the Rohingya in 2016 and 2017.I also call on countries in the region to ensure international protection, and provision of adequate shelter, support and long-term access to essential services to people fleeing the violence and persecution. Special provisions need to be made for human rights defenders, who are particularly exposed and often face transnational threats and refoulement. Nobody should be forcibly returned to Myanmar at this time.We need an urgent rethink of how we can respond collectively to this unmitigated crisis. I had the opportunity to discuss this with the leadership of the Lao Peoples’ Democratic Republic and Malaysia as the current and future ASEAN Chair, as well as with Thailand as a near neighbour. It is time to go beyond the ASEAN Five Point Consensus that has failed to stem the violence or restore democracy. ASEAN’s efforts must be reenergised and backed by a consortium of influential States to develop a new roadmap that can restore the destiny of Myanmar to its people. This must factor in the new realities of local governance emerging on the ground that can provide building blocks towards a democratic future from the bottom up. Myanmar’s people must have a place at the table. This means reaching out to the democracy movement and youth, involving them meaningfully in the resolution of this crisis.The new generation in Myanmar – particularly the women’s leadership that has emerged - should be supported in a “visioning process” for the future of the country.With more attention, more investment, more political will and more action, this situation can be turned around for a better tomorrow for the people of Myanmar.Thank you.

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Story

05 December 2024

A Second Chance

In a small clinic in Myitkyina, Kachin State, in northern Myanmar, 41-year-old Daw Lai sits quietly, her hands resting protectively on her growing belly. It’s been a stressful few months since she first heard the words that changed her life: “You’ve tested positive.”“I never thought something like this could happen to me,” Daw Lai says, recalling the day she tested positive for HIV during an antenatal care screening. Her husband's history of drug use had raised concerns, but she never imagined it would affect her in this way.“At first, I couldn’t sleep. I cried so much. I was embarrassed and scared,” she says. “My biggest fear was my children—what if they’re also infected? And what about the baby I’m carrying?”Finding support and strength She was later referred to a public health clinic in Myitkyina, where a team of dedicated healthcare workers provided more than just medical care - she received hope. “The health workers explained everything clearly and reassured me that if I followed the treatment plan, my baby could be born healthy,” she says.The clinic provided counselling on protecting her unborn child through the prevention of mother-to-child transmission (PMTCT) programme and arranged further tests, including screenings for Hepatitis B and C, which came back negative. Daw Lai started antiretroviral therapy (ART) alongside her husband in early November, a month after her diagnosis. “At first, I felt tired for a few days, but now I feel normal,” she says. ART is provided free of charge by the public health facilities in Myitkyina, not only for her but also for her children, should they ever need it.The Journey to AcceptanceDaw Lai's journey wasn't easy. "I kept asking if the baby would be okay." "They reassured me that as long as I take my medicine at the same time every day, my baby won't be infected. But I still pray every time I take my pill." Fears for their unborn children are common among expectant mothers with HIV, Ma Seng explains. “Many mothers don’t fully trust that ART can prevent mother-to-child transmission. They ask a lot of questions and need reassurance. That’s why we focus on counselling and education.”UNICEF’s support for children and mothersReaching more women like Daw Lai is critical. With support from UNICEF, local volunteers from community-based organisations in Myitkyina visit camps for displaced people and local communities to hold awareness sessions about HIV/AIDS and PMTCT. “Many of them say they wish there were more such discussions,” Ma Seng says.Following the awareness sessions, pregnant mothers are encouraged to visit antenatal clinics for infection screening as part of their routine antenatal tests. “It’s beyond raising awareness,” says Ma Seng. “We make sure they know where to go for care and how to take the next steps for their health and the baby’s health.”UNICEF also provides support for transportation costs for appointments and referrals, ensuring that mothers like Daw Lai can access care without the burden of travel expenses.A new chapter of hopeDespite her initial fears, Daw Lai is determined to follow her treatment plan and ensure her baby remains healthy. “I take my medicine every day at 7 p.m., without fail,” she says. Her commitment and the clinic’s support have given her a new sense of hope and purpose. Her husband has stopped abusing drugs and takes his treatment every day. As she prepares to welcome her third child, Daw Lai remains hopeful, highlighting the life-saving impact of UNICEF-supported programmes like PMTCT through local health facilities. “This clinic gave me hope when I felt hopeless. They told me I’m not alone, and that’s what I needed to hear.”Daw Lai's journey from despair to hope illustrates the critical importance of accessible HIV care and support. Her story is not just one of personal triumph, but a beacon of hope for other mothers facing similar challenges in underserved and conflict-affected communities in Myanmar.

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Story

15 November 2024

The Rise of AI-Powered Organized Crime: Southeast Asia's Growing Threat

Yangon (Myanmar)–As we mark the first International Day for the Prevention of and Fight against All Forms of Transnational Organized Crime (TOC), in Southeast Asia, a rapidly evolving threat has been challenging the region’s stability and security. With the rise of transnational criminal networks utilizing advanced technologies organized crime has entered into a far more dangerous new phase. Criminal groups are no longer bound by traditional methods; they are empowered by technological innovation, expanding their reach and sophistication in ways that were unimaginable previously.Among the most concerning is the unintended consequences caused by the generative artificial intelligence (AI) and deepfake technology and abusing it to automate and scale transnational crimes, including illegal casinos, cyberfraud, and human trafficking for forced criminality. By abusing AI, criminals can create fake identities, documents, and scam content, while deepfakes are used to impersonate trusted figures and deceive victims. This shift has increased the efficiency and global reach of criminal operations, exacerbating human trafficking, exploitation, and online fraud on an unprecedented scale.The impact of these criminal activities is staggering. UNODC’s recent report, titled Transnational Organized Crime and the Convergence of Cyber-Enabled Fraud, Underground Banking, and Technological Innovation: A Shifting Threat Landscape suggests that, in 2023, scams targeting victims in East and Southeast Asia were responsible for financial losses between $18 billion and $37 billion, a testament to the scale and sophistication of modern transnational crime. Criminals are seamlessly integrating billions of dollars from illicit proceeds into the global financial system with the rise of digital solutions through money laundering and underground banking. This growing threat is not just a financial burden; it is a direct challenge to regional security and a global issue that requires international cooperation and coordinated action. In the midst of this, Myanmar and other Southeast Asian countries recently have become the center for the global cyber scam industry. The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights estimates that more than two hundred thousand people have been trafficked into Myanmar and Cambodia to execute these online scams. The stakes have never been higher. The integration of AI into the already evolving criminal ecosystem represents a paradigm shift that requires an urgent response. Reflecting on the urgency of the matter, The UNODC Executive Director, Ms. Ghada Waly, in her message on the International Day on TOC calls for global solidarity and global action. She remarked, “The challenges of organized crime are growing but so too are the opportunities for cooperation against these threats. By pulling together - governments in the global North and South, banks and businesses, civil society and communities, young and old - we can push back against organized crime, everywhere, for safety and security, for development and human rights, for prosperity and peace."This year's International Day on TOC calls for raising awareness about the global impacts of organized crime, fostering global collaboration between governments, civil society, and the private sector, and empowering communities to build resilience through grassroots efforts. As AI continues to evolve, it is extremely crucial now more than ever to emphasize knowledge sharing and capacity building to strengthen responses, advocates for policies, and address the root causes of organized crime. At the same time, it is important to recognize the dual role of technology as a challenge and as a tool for innovative solutions in tackling transnational organized crime. Only through collaboration, forward-thinking strategies, and a united approach can we build a safer, more resilient world.Please contact unodc-myanmarfieldoffice@un.org for more information.To read more about the AI’s impact on the organized crime in Southeast Asia, please click here.To learn more about UNODC activities, please click here.

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Story

08 November 2024

Myanmar flood recovery: Supporting the resilience of women and girls

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.

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Story

31 October 2024

The gendered impacts of Myanmar’s devastating floods

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.

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15 October 2024

Building Resilience Amidst Natural Disasters: UNDP's Role in Disaster Risk Reduction

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.

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Press Release

10 January 2025

Statement by the Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator a.i. for Myanmar

The humanitarian community is deeply alarmed by the recent reports of civilian casualties in Rakhine State. On 8 January 2025 an aerial attack in Kyauk Ni Maw Village in Ramree Township reportedly killed over 40 civilians, including children and women, and injured more than 20 people. It is reported that around 500 homes were allegedly destroyed, with children, women, and elderly people among the casualties. Fighting in Rakhine has recently escalated, with civilians paying the highest price of the conflict. Civilians face extreme risks, acute food insecurity and a near total collapse of critical public services. The humanitarian community reiterates our call on all parties to the conflict to uphold their obligations under international humanitarian law, to ensure the protection of civilians and civilian property, humanitarian workers and supplies, and to guarantee unimpeded humanitarian access to deliver aid to the most vulnerable.

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Press Release

13 December 2024

Increased Support Needed for Myanmar in 2025 to Reach 5.5 Million People in Desperate Need

The 2025 Humanitarian Needs and Response Plan (HNRP) for Myanmar that was launched today requests US$1.1 billion to provide life-saving assistance to 5.5 million people struggling to survive the impacts of a humanitarian crisis that has devastated countless lives. Humanitarian needs are soaring to unprecedented levels in Myanmar, with an estimated 19.9 million people in need of assistance in 2025, including 6.3 million children. The humanitarian crisis is fuelled by conflict that has escalated since the military takeover in 2021, as well as disasters, epidemics, widespread explosive ordnance and landmine contamination, and economic decline. Civilians across the country, including women and children, are facing the painful consequences of this crisis. Conflict has driven people to flee their homes and livelihoods in record numbers. It is estimated that almost 3.5 million people across Myanmar are internally displaced, approximately one third of them children. Education and health services are severely disrupted. Millions of people are without safe shelter or drinking water. More than 15 million people are expected to face food insecurity in 2025. People are confronted with grave protection threats, and coping capacities are stretched to the limit. The crisis is spilling over across the region, with 1.3 million Myanmar refugees and asylum seekers in neighbouring countries.To respond to this crisis, the 2025 HNRP outlines a cohesive plan to address complex and evolving needs across the country. The 2025 HNRP is the result of heavy prioritization to meet the most urgent needs, focusing on life-saving interventions. The 5.5 million people prioritized for assistance are the most severely affected – help for them cannot wait.Scaled-up support for Myanmar in 2025 is urgently needed to prevent the crisis from deteriorating into a catastrophic situation. Dangerously low levels of funding in 2024 drastically affected the capacity of humanitarian partners to deliver life-saving aid to people who had been prioritized for urgent assistance. With only 34 per cent of the 2024 HNRP funding requirements received to date, partners were unable to provide the depth, frequency and quality of assistance that was planned, leaving millions of people without aid. Without the required funds in 2025, humanitarian partners will have to prioritize further, favouring lower-cost life-saving and critical activities that do not offer the required depth of relief or contribute to people’s overall well-being, offer dignified living conditions, meet global standards, or provide a chance of finding durable solutions.Despite formidable challenges, aid workers continue to deliver aid to those most in need. With the generous support of donors, humanitarians reached 3 million people in need in the first three quarters of 2024. With solidarity and increased support from the international community, the humanitarian community will be ready to collectively step up in 2025 to save lives and protect the most vulnerable.The HNRP is available here: https://humanitarianaction.info/plan/1275/document/myanmar-humanitarian-needs-and-response-plan-2025

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Press Release

09 December 2024

KOICA partners with UN agencies in Myanmar to support voluntary return and settlement by displaced people

The Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) has pledged US$4 million to support the voluntary return and settlement of internally displaced persons (IDPs) in Kachin State, the northernmost State of Myanmar. This two-year project, from 2024 to 2025, will be implemented by the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR), the UN Population Fund (UNFPA) and their partners. The project will support IDPs who wish to return home or settle elsewhere and bolster their resilience in facing future challenges. The project will support over 16,000 IDPs pursuing solutions, and members of neighbouring communities. Its joint activities will enable individuals and communities to benefit from improved access to safe and dignified shelter, community infrastructure, livelihoods, legal services, prevention and response to gender-based violence, sexual and reproductive health services and rights, as well as mental health and psychosocial services.YUN Jiun, KOICA Chief Representative, said: “The current context has further exacerbated the situation of vulnerable internally displaced families. However, we see many of them willing to pursue solutions and needing support to do so. KOICA funded activities, like the ones to be implemented in partnership with UNHCR and UNFPA, will be critical to help these families achieving transitional solutions and strengthen their resilience.”There are approximately 130,400 IDPs in Kachin State, many of whom have been displaced for more than a decade. While humanitarian needs remain, the vital support in this project from KOICA, UNHCR, UNFPA, and local partners will enable willing and ready IDPs to pursue transitional solutions, strengthen self-reliance, improve their living conditions, and build resilience to future shocks.

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Press Release

03 December 2024

Strengthening the leadership of persons with disabilities for an inclusive and sustainable future in Myanmar

Yangon – On this International Day of Persons with Disabilities, we are reminded of the urgent need to elevate the leadership of persons with disabilities. The issue is not a lack of leadership ability, but a systemic failure to create opportunities for leadership experiences. In Myanmar, an estimated 5.9 million people – 13 per cent of the population – live with disabilities. Among displaced and crisis-affected people, around 15 per cent are persons with disabilities, and around 40 per cent of households in these groups include one or more members with disabilities. Progress in advancing disability rights has been severely disrupted by the country’s ongoing crises. As Secretary-General António Guterres has noted, persons with disabilities disproportionately endure the impacts of conflict, climate disasters, poverty, and inequality, exacerbated by persistent stigma, discrimination, and barriers to basic rights. Yet, they are often excluded from contributing to solutions.Out of the 5.9 million people living with disabilities, nearly 3.5 million are women and girls and they face compounded risks. Women and girls with disabilities are two to four times more likely than other women to experience violence – a risk heightened during crisis. Children with disabilities are also acutely vulnerable, especially in accessing education. Among displaced populations, 60 to 90 per cent of children with disabilities do not attend any type of schooling. Additionally, the widespread use of landmines has tragically increased the number of people, including children, living with disabilities.While continuing to support and assist all persons with disabilities, the United Nations in Myanmar prioritizes inclusivity for women and girls with disabilities by addressing structural barriers, preventing violence, and expanding access to sexual and reproductive health services. We also focus on children with disabilities by promoting inclusive school meal programmes, providing top-up cash assistance alongside humanitarian assistance for conflict-affected communities, and supporting people, including children, with mine risk prevention and response services, including survivor assistance.The Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities underscores the inclusion and participation of persons with disabilities in all aspects of society and highlights the need to address the intersecting discrimination faced by persons with disabilities. The UN in Myanmar is committed to uphold the Convention and promote the meaningful participation and leadership of persons with disabilities and Organizations of Persons with Disabilities. We will continue advocating for inclusive participation at all levels of decision-making, ensuring accessible information and communication, and supporting capacity-building and awareness initiatives to challenge discriminatory attitudes. We will also support sustainable, accessible funding to enable our partners to implement action-oriented approaches that support all persons with disabilities.To build a future where persons with disabilities are recognized not as individuals with “special needs” but as changemakers, peacemakers, and leaders, we must foster their participation and leadership and prioritise their voices so they can help shape Myanmar’s path to recovery and peace.

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