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The Sustainable Development Goals 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:
Story
01 June 2023
Cyclone Mocha: Latest example of dire climate threat facing Myanmar’s children
More than 90 per cent of children in Myanmar face three or more overlapping climate and environment shocks, hazards or stresses, according to a new UNICEF regional report, ‘Over the Tipping Point’.
The report reveals that children in the East Asia and Pacific region face a greater exposure to multiple climate disasters than in any other region of the world. It calls for urgent investment in climate-smart social services and policies to protect children.
Ten days after Cyclone Mocha battered areas in Myanmar already hard-hit by years of conflict and deprivation, the impact of climate change on children and families is clear for all to see, UNICEF said. It is estimated that 3.4 million people live in the areas highly impacted by Cyclone Mocha.
With temperatures and sea levels rising and extreme weather such as typhoons, severe floods, landslides and droughts increasing globally, millions of children are at risk. Many children and their families face displacement and struggle to survive, with limited or no access to healthcare, education, and water and sanitation services.
In Myanmar, in addition to the impact of COVID-19 and conflict, many families have been forced to pull their children out of school to help with agricultural work, or because they cannot afford the cost of education due to the economic impact of climate change on their livelihoods.
According to the latest analysis, which is based on the Children’s Climate Risk Index (CCRI), in the East Asia and Pacific region over 210 million children are highly exposed to cyclones; 140 million children are highly exposed to water scarcity; 120 million children are highly exposed to coastal flooding; and 460 million children to air pollution. Ultimately, these effects exacerbate inequalities that children already face, pushing the poorest further into poverty.
As families grapple with the aftermath of Cyclone Mocha - amid an ongoing conflict - it is important to remember girls are more likely to be affected by disasters than boys or men, UNICEF said. Also, children with disabilities are at greater risk of adverse outcomes following a natural disaster.
In addition to its ongoing humanitarian support to children affected by the ongoing conflict across Myanmar, UNICEF is working to provide lifesaving assistance to children and families affected by Cyclone Mocha in Rakhine, Chin and Kachin States and Sagaing and Magway Regions.
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Press Release
31 May 2023
WFP Operational Update: WFP Steps up Assistance to those Affected by Cyclone Mocha in Myanmar
“This is a climate emergency within a much larger complex emergency. Being already displaced, cyclone survivors now have been left with next to nothing, rendering them even more vulnerable,” said Stephen Anderson, WFP Country Director in Myanmar.
“WFP and partners are moving quickly to transport and distribute our existing stocks of food to all those in need wherever they are, but these supplies are rapidly dwindling. Support from the international community is urgently required.”
Here is an update on WFP’s response in the aftermath of the cyclone:
So far, WFP and partners have supported over 230,000 cyclone-affected people with life-saving food assistance in Rakhine state and Magway region.
This includes families previously displaced by conflict and Rohingya communities living in camps in central Rakhine and villages in northern Rakhine.
WFP food assistance has so far reached affected people in Kyauktaw, Kyaukphyu, Mrauk-U, Myaebon, Pauktaw, Ponnagyun, Rathedaung and Sittwe townships in central Rakhine and Buthidaung and Maungdaw in northern Rakhine, with plans to expand.
WFP is mobilizing resources to provide 800,000 people with emergency food and cash for an initial three months in areas devastated by Cyclone Mocha.
WFP is appealing for US$60 million to deliver emergency food and nutrition assistance to 2.1 million highly food-insecure people until the end of the year throughout the country. This includes US$ 23 million just to support 440,000 people newly affected by the cyclone. Unless additional funding is confirmed soon, all of WFP’s life-saving programmes will be interrupted in August 2023.
In the hardest hit areas, the most pressing needs are food, shelter, drinking water and sanitation, according to early monitoring by WFP and partners.
The destruction caused by the cyclone impacts immediate and longer-term food security. Salt water has contaminated farmland and fishponds, while rice seed stocks and livestock have been devastated.
Note to the editor:
High resolution photos available here: https://multimedia.wfp.org/Share/4x0tm820vb705p7og6182ao04e610434
Broll available here: https://we.tl/t-j3W6NYZVMA
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Press Release
13 May 2023
Note to Correspondents: WFP gears up ahead of the arrival of Cyclone Mocha
Sittwe – The World Food Programme (WFP) is closely monitoring Cyclone Mocha, which is expected to make landfall this Sunday in Myanmar and Bangladesh. Emergency preparedness is underway in areas likely to be in the cyclone’s trajectory.
Working with partners, WFP is gearing up for a large-scale emergency response, putting in place contingency plans, and prepositioning food and relief supplies, vehicles, and emergency equipment.
In Myanmar, WFP has pre-positioned enough food to cover the needs of more than 400,000 people in Rakhine State and neighboring areas for one month.
Anticipating interruptions to transport and telecommunications services, WFP teams are also putting in place systems to serve the broader humanitarian community with their preparations and potential response to the cyclone.
Unimpeded humanitarian access to and support from communities in need will be critical in responding to any immediate impacts of the cyclone and for the longer-term recovery process.
Quote by WFP Myanmar Deputy Country Director Ms. Sheela Matthew
“We are preparing for the worst, while hoping for the best. Cyclone Mocha is heading to areas burdened by conflict, poverty, and weak community resilience. Many of the people most likely to be affected are already reliant on regular humanitarian assistance from WFP. They simply cannot afford another disaster.”
• See here WFP’s live analysis on potential impact of Cyclone Mocha
• Photos available at link
The United Nations World Food Programme is the world’s largest humanitarian organization saving lives in emergencies and using food assistance to build a pathway to peace, stability and prosperity for people recovering from conflict, disasters and the impact of climate change.
Follow us on Twitter @WFPAsiaPacific
For more information please contact:
Elise Gibergues-Newton: Communications Officer, WFP Asia and the Pacific, elise.giberguesnewton@wfp.org, +08 1130 1966
Htet Oo Linn: Communications Officer, WFP Myanmar, htetoo.linn@wfp.org, +95 9 97060 8171
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Publication
11 May 2023
Situation of human rights in Myanmar since 1 February 2022 - Report of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights
The present report, prepared pursuant to Human Rights Council resolution 47/1, identifies trends and patterns of human rights violations that occurred in Myanmar between 1 February 2022 and 31 January 2023. Two years after launching a coup, the military has brought the country into a perpetual human rights crisis through the continuous use of violence, including killings, arbitrary arrests, torture, forcible disappearances and the prosecution and sentencing of anti-coup opponents. Urgent, concrete actions are needed to ensure that all people in Myanmar enjoy their fundamental rights and freedoms. The report contains recommendations for all parties, including the military authorities, the National Unity Government and the international community.
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Video
03 May 2023
The Secretary-General Video Message for World Press Freedom Day
For three decades, on World Press Freedom Day, the international community has celebrated the work of journalists and media workers.
This day highlights a basic truth: all our freedom depends on press freedom.
Freedom of the press is the foundation of democracy and justice. It gives all of us the facts we need to shape opinions and speak truth to power. And as this year’s theme reminds us, press freedom represents the very lifeblood of human rights.
But in every corner of the world, freedom of the press is under attack.
Truth is threatened by disinformation and hate speech seeking to blur the lines between fact and fiction, between science and conspiracy.
The increased concentration of the media industry into the hands of a few, the financial collapse of scores of independent news organizations, and an increase of national laws and regulations that stifle journalists are further expanding censorship and threatening freedom of expression.
Meanwhile, journalists and media workers are directly targeted on and offline as they carry out their vital work. They are routinely harassed, intimidated, detained and imprisoned.
At least 67 media workers were killed in 2022 — an unbelievable 50 per cent increase over the previous year. Nearly three quarters of women journalists have experienced violence online, and one in four have been threatened physically.
Ten years ago, the United Nations established a Plan of Action on the Safety of Journalists to protect media workers and end impunity for crimes committed against them.
On this and every World Press Freedom Day, the world must speak with one voice.
Stop the threats and attacks.
Stop detaining and imprisoning journalists for doing their jobs.
Stop the lies and disinformation.
Stop targeting truth and truth-tellers.
As journalists stand up for truth, the world stands with them.
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Story
23 May 2023
Cyclone Mocha makes dire situation worse for millions of Women and children in Myanmar
Cyclone Mocha, which smashed through Myanmar’s Rakhine State last week, has left a trail of destruction that exacerbates the challenges already faced by millions of vulnerable people. Particularly affected are women and girls living with the compounded crises of COVID-19, ongoing conflict, and political and economic upheaval.
“5.4 million people are expected to have been in the path of the cyclone,” said UN acting interim Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator for Myanmar Ramanathan Balakrishnan. “Of these, we consider 3.1 million people to be most vulnerable to cyclone impacts, taking together indicators of shelter quality, food insecurity and, of course, poor coping capacity.”
The most immediate needs are shelter, clean water and sanitation. With evacuees living in huge numbers in small spaces, there is a high risk of waterborne and communicable diseases. And for women and children, there is the risk of increased gender-based violence.
The cyclone made landfall between Kyaukpyu township, on the northern part of Myanmar’s western coast and Cox’s Bazar in Bangladesh at 12:30pm on 14 May, with winds recorded at up to 250 kilometres per hour. In Rakhine, and states in the north-west of the country, strong winds knocked down power lines and telecommunications towers, uprooted trees and damaged and destroyed houses and public infrastructure, including hospitals, banks and religious buildings.
There has been widespread destruction in displacement camps in Rakhine’s state capital Sittwe, where camp volunteers have reported that many of the flimsy bamboo longhouses were severely damaged or destroyed.
Even before Cyclone Mocha hit, the 2023 Humanitarian Response Plan for Myanmar reported that 17.6 million people were in humanitarian need.
“It really is a nightmare scenario for this cyclone to hit areas with such deep pre-existing needs,” said Balakrishnan.
Women and girls are disproportionately hard hit
In the aftermath of a natural disaster, women, girls, boys and men are all affected differently. Women and girls are disproportionately impacted, and much more likely to experience increased violence, insecurity and gender-specific barriers and inequalities. UN Women Myanmar will be working with UN agencies and humanitarian partners to ensure the specific needs of women and children are prioritized throughout the response.
“I am a mother of a 5-year-old boy and am expecting the second anytime soon. My husband is a daily wager. Our house was totally collapsed in the storm, and we cannot afford building a new house. This is an additional hurdle for us, as we could hardly make ends meet.”
Urgent help is needed
The UN’s USD 764-million Humanitarian Response Plan prioritises 4.5 million people (out of the 17.6 million in need) for life-saving humanitarian support. And of those, 52 percent are women.
But to date, the response plan is only 10 per cent funded.
An urgent injection of funds is desperately needed to facilitate a full-scale response to the impact of Cyclone Mocha and subsequent flooding.
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Story
07 April 2023
Ensuring “Health for All” in Myanmar: The Need for Urgent Action
In Myanmar, this right is not yet a reality for everyone. On this World Health Day, I would like to emphasize that access to quality health care is a prerequisite for individual well-being, economic development, and social progress.
Unfortunately, despite remarkable progress in the past few decades, millions of people still lack access to basic health services, medicines, and vaccines. In Myanmar, health disparities persist, particularly among rural and marginalized communities. Limited access to healthcare services, insufficient human resources, and inadequate health financing have resulted in high maternal and child mortality rates, high prevalence of communicable and non-communicable diseases, and insufficient pandemic preparedness.
As the world grapples with the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, it has become clear that access to healthcare is more important than ever. The virus has highlighted the deep inequalities in healthcare that exist in many parts of the world, including Myanmar. Hospitals were overwhelmed, and many people were struggling to access the care they needed. This is particularly true for those living in rural areas, where access to healthcare services is very limited. We must take immediate steps to address these issues and ensure that everyone has access to quality healthcare services.
Achieving "Health for All" requires a comprehensive approach that addresses the social determinants of health, strengthens health systems, and ensures access to quality health services for all. We need to prioritize investments in primary health care, disease prevention, and health promotion. We must also work towards equitable access to essential medicines and vaccines.
In addition, one way to achieve “Health for all” is through the implementation of universal health coverage (UHC). UHC is a system where everyone has access to essential healthcare services of good quality without facing financial hardships. It is an approach that has been adopted by many countries around the world and has been proven to be effective in improving health outcomes.
Myanmar has made some progress towards achieving UHC, but there is still a long way to go. The country needs to increase its investment on healthcare and further invest in essential health infrastructure and on health workforce. It must also work to further strengthen its health system and ensure that essential medicines and equipment are available to everyone who needs them.
In addition to investment in healthcare, there needs to be a greater focus on preventative healthcare measures. This includes promoting healthy lifestyles, increasing access to nutritious food, and providing education on health and hygiene. By investing in preventative healthcare measures, Myanmar can reduce the burden on its healthcare system and improve the overall health of its people.
Nevertheless, one of the biggest challenges facing the healthcare system in Myanmar is the low total health expenditure and high Out – of – pocket expenditure. Lack of adequate level of investment on health would invariably result in a shortage of health workforce, inadequate health infrastructure, and shortages of essential medicines and equipment.
Ensuring health for all in Myanmar is not only a moral imperative but also an economic one. Healthy people are more productive, and a healthy population can contribute to economic growth. The country needs to recognize the importance of investing in healthcare and prioritize it accordingly.
In conclusion, as we mark the World Health Day and 75 years of WHO this year, in 2023, let us commit ourselves to the goal of "Health for All." This requires political will, sustained investment, and partnership across sectors and stakeholders. Let us work together for Myanmar, where everyone can access quality health care without facing financial hardship, and where health is a shared responsibility and a common good.
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Story
03 April 2023
UNFPA delivers support to ensure rights and dignity of women and girls with disabilities amidst conflicts in Myanmar
“We (Women with disabilities) experience double discrimination due to our gender and disability status. Without having access to information and services, we are more vulnerable to face different forms of violence both inside and outside of our homes,” Nwe Nwe Win, a local woman with physical disability said.
According to the 2019 Myanmar Inter-censal Survey, there is an estimated of 3.5 million females with disabilities compared to an estimated 2.5 million of males. Women with disabilities are 2 to 4 times more likely to experience intimate partner violence. They are more vulnerable to experience the situation such as withholding medication and assistive devices (such as wheelchairs, hearing aid and white canes, etc.), denial of assistance, food, water, and basic needs.
In conflict related situations, women and girls with disabilities are especially vulnerable. UNFPA, the United Nations sexual and reproductive health agency, with the support of local partner organizations of persons with disabilities, provides dignity kits which include basic needs for women and girls with disabilities from affected communities to ensure their personal hygiene and dignity.
“I had to flee my home when armed clashes happened near my village. I couldn’t bring anything from my personal belongings due to my physical disability. Thanks to the items included in the kits such as basic clothing and sanitary napkins, I can live with dignity and manage my personal hygiene even in the situation of emergency”, said Nyein Nyein, a local woman with disabilities from conflict affected area.
Sexual and reproductive health and gender-based violence information is important for women with disabilities at the displaced sites to minimize the risks they might have. Without access to the sexual and reproductive health services and information, they are at higher risk of unwanted pregnancies and sexually transmitted infections. Women with disabilities are up to 10 times more likely to experience sexual violence. It is important to provide information and services for persons with disabilities considering their specific needs based on major types of disabilities.
Sian Nuam, a local woman with physical disability said, “I didn’t notice that I was experiencing gender-based violence at home. Thanks to the assistive devices (wheelchair) to go out by myself without needing assistance from my family anymore and the opportunity to attend gender-based violence awareness and mental health and psychosocial support sessions provided by local OPD with the support of UNFPA, I feel empowered and understand my rights.”
Every person with disability has equal rights and choices as anyone else, as in global frameworks such as the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the ICPD Programme of Action and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. To end discrimination and exclusion in our society, it is important that we leave no one behind.
“The integrated sexual and reproductive health, gender-based violence and mental health and psychosocial support services and information are lifesaving assets for the women and girls with disabilities especially who are at the conflict affected displaced sites, by safeguarding their dignity, and opportunity to practice their body rights with the informed choices” - Yu Myat Mun, Programme Analyst, UNFPA Myanmar.
UNFPA’s support also ensure the equal accessibility to the maternal and family planning services for the persons with disabilities promoting their sexual and reproductive rights as others.
Joshua, one of the leaders of local organization of persons with disabilities said, “The main barrier which women and girls with disabilities face in the society is not their disabilities, but, sadly, it is the discrimination against them in various walks of life. It hinders full and effective participation of women with disabilities in the communities. We must end this barrier - discrimination against persons with disabilities including women and girl and provide support to ensure their rights and dignity.”
About the CERF-funded project in Myanmar
The overall aim of the programme funded by the global Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF) is to provide survivors of gender-based violence and those at risk with multi-sectoral services and livelihood opportunities and to facilitate their economic empowerment. As part of localization efforts, 30 per cent of the funding has been allocated directly to local women-led organizations and women’s rights organizations, with a view to enhancing their operational capacity. The programme also contributes to the protection and needs of at-risk marginalized groups. The cookery and financial management skills training course described in the story is an integral part of the livelihood opportunities provided by two local partner organizations to women living in camps for internally displaced people, including GBV survivors.
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Story
03 April 2023
Innovation training helps dreams come true for minority ethnic women in Myanmar
Kachin State, Myanmar — On International Women’s Day, Daw Htu Tawng, 33, and Daw Ja Nan, 34, are giggling together in the kitchen of their restaurant in north-eastern Myanmar. Daw Htu Tawng is holding some spices; she adds a dash of black pepper in a pot of noodles while the other stirs the food. The air holds a fusion of mouth-watering aromas. With this year’s International Women’s Day promoting Innovation and Technology for Gender Equality, it is a perfect setting to celebrate women who have used their new cookery and business skills to establish their own restaurant, breaking barriers for women in the catering business.
“The business is doing well,” said Daw Ja Nan, a mother of three. “Our best sellers are the ban sai salad, and the spicy noodles garnished with sweet-smelling herbs, which makes the taste of our home so much alive in our popular noodles.”
When they first established their restaurant Ma Join Lusha Seng (meaning “origin” in Kachin), some people did not believe the enterprise would last a month. However, the two women have proved that with enough support, women too can create and sustain profit-making businesses. In the last 10 months, the two chefs have been preparing hot delicious meals, and trying new recipes that have kept their many customers happy.
After receiving a cookery and business management training course through an initiative funded by the United Nations Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF), the business partners received the opportunity to learn diverse ways of cooking many types of food. The new skills gave them the confidence to start their own small restaurant, outside Pa Ka Htawng Camp 3 (an internally displaced people’s camp) in Kachin State. They settled in this camp with their families after an armed conflict between the Myanmar armed forces and the Kachin ethnic armed group in 2021 forced them to leave their village in Sein Lone in Man Si Township. And using their innovation, they are now able to run their business, working safely and generating an income helping them to look after their families.
"Education is important because it empowers you and makes you confident to take that bold step towards helping yourself, your family and your community.” — Daw Htu Tawng, an entrepreneur in Myanmar
Through the CERF multi-country programme in Myanmar, UN Women and the UN Population Fund (UNFPA) are collaborating with women’s civil society organizations to use technology and innovative ways to provide life-saving assistance, build capacity to address socio-economic challenges and enhance the protection of vulnerable women and girls from risks such as child marriage, human trafficking and sexual and gender-based violence (GBV).
The multi-country programme targets 69,029 women and girls in Kachin and Rakhine states with activities under UNFPA, improving communities’ access to quality and comprehensive prevention and response services for gender-based violence. For their part, UN Women is complementing these efforts through the provision of a series of trainings that support livelihoods such as cookery; sewing; hairdressing; livestock production; other life skills and cash assistance.
In May 2022, UN Women partnered with the Finnish Refugee Council to provide livelihood support, life skills and vocational training that targeted survivors of GBV and women and girls at risk of GBV. The aim was to transfer skills that would empower women to start income-generating enterprises. Thirty women participated in a cookery and business management skills training that changed the lives of Daw Ja Nan and Daw Htu Tawng.
“The interventions have so far demonstrated the ability to help prevent displaced women from falling prey to unsafe work and working environments and selling family property to earn a living,” mother-of-two Daw Htu Tawng said.
After completing their one-month training course, the women borrowed one million Kyat (USD 500) from a relative to start their business. With a daily expenditure of 42 Kyat on ingredients, the business is now making a profit of 31 Kyat each day. Most of their clients are camp residents while others are migrant workers.
“We are now able to look after our families and also use some of the money to pay back our loan,” Daw Ja Nan said. The business partners dream of one day opening a bigger restaurant and expanding to provide specialized catering services at events such as weddings and graduation parties. Increasing their profits means a lot to the women who are passionate about their children’s education and dream of sending them to good universities in Yangon.
“Education is important because it empowers you and makes you confident to take that bold step towards helping yourself, your family and your community,” Daw Htu Tawng said. We are grateful for the support we have received and wish there could be more training opportunities to support other women to also start other types of businesses.”
About the CERF-funded project in Myanmar The overall aim of the programme funded by the global Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF) is to provide survivors of gender-based violence and those at risk with multi-sectoral services and livelihood opportunities and to facilitate their economic empowerment. As part of localization efforts, 30 per cent of the funding has been allocated directly to local women-led organizations and women’s rights organizations, with a view to enhancing their operational capacity. The programme also contributes to the protection and needs of at-risk marginalized groups. The cookery and financial management skills training course described in the story is an integral part of the livelihood opportunities provided by two local partner organizations to women living in camps for internally displaced people, including GBV survivors. This article was originally published in the UN Women Asia and the Pacific website on March 29 and can be found here.
About the CERF-funded project in Myanmar The overall aim of the programme funded by the global Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF) is to provide survivors of gender-based violence and those at risk with multi-sectoral services and livelihood opportunities and to facilitate their economic empowerment. As part of localization efforts, 30 per cent of the funding has been allocated directly to local women-led organizations and women’s rights organizations, with a view to enhancing their operational capacity. The programme also contributes to the protection and needs of at-risk marginalized groups. The cookery and financial management skills training course described in the story is an integral part of the livelihood opportunities provided by two local partner organizations to women living in camps for internally displaced people, including GBV survivors. This article was originally published in the UN Women Asia and the Pacific website on March 29 and can be found here.
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Story
15 March 2023
Ma Lin Lin: midwife, HIV care provider, and dedicated community leader
In honouring the women of Myanmar, UNDP celebrates the work of Ma Lin Lin, a midwife, HIV care provider and now a dedicated leader helping run a water bottling plant in Yangon’s Hlaingtharya Township, supported by UNDP and WaterAid.
Having worked as a midwife and volunteered to provide care for people living with HIV, Ma Lin Lin already knows the importance of providing support to those around her. Now she is thrilled to help improve the health and well-being of people in her community by providing clean drinking water.
This plant provides clean drinking water to over 6,900 people at just 250 kyats ($0.15) a bottle – the same as what they had been paying previously for a bucket of unclean water that was causing many people to get sick.
“When they got sick, they could not afford their hospital bills and because of their low income, they could not spare any money to buy clean water. So, it was a never-ending cycle back then. We now have access to clean water, and we can earn extra money from this work. Since then, the number of people getting sick dramatically decreased in the village. Women in our group have jobs now and earn their own monthly incomes”, said Ma Lin Lin.
The plant is part of a wider UNDP project in Yangon, which includes supporting women who struggle to earn a stable income to get vocational training and better-paid work. UNDP has already helped over 100,000 people in Hlaingtharya rebuild their lives.
Ma Lin Lin’s leadership and determination to make a positive change during these difficult times in Myanmar are vitally important. She sets an example to those around her and shows how supporting women to access positions like these is critical to improving their role in society.
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Press Release
01 June 2023
IOM Appeals for USD 11.25 Million to Respond to Cyclone Mocha in Myanmar
The impacts of the Extremely Severe Cyclone Mocha, which struck Myanmar on 14 May, greatly exacerbated existing needs on top of an already dire humanitarian situation for the more than 5.4 million people estimated to have been in the path of the cyclone. These include the 3.4 million people living in the highest impact zone, and particularly the 1.3 million internally displaced persons (IDPs) in the affected states of Rakhine, Chin, Sagaing, Magway and Kachin.
The IOM Cyclone Mocha Flash Appeal aims to reach over 75,000 vulnerable individuals, including IDPs in protracted displacement and newly displaced, and host communities, including those in affected areas with limited access to basic services.
The Appeal also covers individuals with severe protection needs, such as returned migrants forced to return to cyclone and conflict-affected areas without prior planning, and those who have experienced labour exploitation, gender-based violence, trafficking and/or abuse.
In line with emerging needs, IOM’s humanitarian response will focus on five sectors of assistance, including access to basic health services; shelter and non-food items support; protection and mental health and psychosocial support; water, sanitation and hygiene; and food security.
“The crisis comes at a time of increased political turmoil and conflict, compounding an already critical humanitarian situation, hence our rapid leveraging of existing resources around the country to support vulnerable populations most in need,” said Dragan Aleksoski, IOM’s Chief of Mission in Myanmar.
IOM teams in Rakhine have begun providing mobile health services to populations in need in affected areas of Sittwe, Buthidaung, Pauktaw and Maungdaw. Surge staff have also been mobilized, and IOM teams on the ground are gauging the full impact of the cyclone and developing distribution plans for highly needed shelter, non-food items and water, sanitation and hygiene items in coordination with humanitarian partners, while transfer of resources from other missions in the region is being explored.
IOM has been operational in Myanmar since 2005 and is present across the country. With over 240 staff, a country office in Yangon, a liaison office in Nay Pyi Taw, sub-offices in Rakhine, Sagaing, Kachin, Kayin, Mon, nine Migrant Resource Centres, including in Sittwe, as well as long-established collaborations with a broad range of partners around the country, IOM is well positioned to respond rapidly.
“Advocacy at the highest regional and global levels for immediate and unrestricted access remains crucial to ensure rapid delivery of essential life-saving assistance to the people most affected by the cyclone,” noted Aleksoski.
You can find the full appeal here: https://crisisresponse.iom.int/sites/g/files/tmzbdl1481/files/uploaded-files/IOM%20Myanmar%20Flash%20Appeal%20-%20Cyclone%20Mocha%20Response%20-%20May%202023_0.pdf
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Press Release
23 May 2023
$333M Humanitarian Appeal To Support Communities Hit By Cyclone Mocha In Myanmar
“This perfect storm has devastated coastal areas, leaving hundreds of thousands of already vulnerable people without a roof over their heads as the monsoon looms,” Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator a.i. for Myanmar, Ramanathan Balakrishnan said. “We are now in a race against time to provide people with safe shelter in all affected communities and prevent the spread of water-borne disease. For this life-saving work, we need the generous financial support of the international community.”
The Flash Appeal requests an urgent injection of funds for activities to support vulnerable people in the highest impact zone across Rakhine, Chin, Magway, Sagaing and Kachin.
“This is a humanitarian catastrophe in one of country’s poorest areas, where there are high pre-existing needs, and we need donors to dig deep to support scaled-up distributions to the most vulnerable ahead of the rains,” the Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator a.i. said.
The Flash Appeal includes a combination of $211 million in prioritized activities from the 2023 Myanmar Humanitarian Response Plan that are being pivoted to support the cyclone response in affected areas, plus $122 million for additional activities or support to people newly affected by this disaster. The 1.6 million people identified for support under this appeal include those who have lost their homes, people who lack access to health services and clean water, people who are food insecure or malnourished, displaced people living in camps, stateless people, women, children and people with a disability.
Extremely Severe Cyclone Mocha crossed the coast in Rakhine State just over a week ago, before moving inland bringing flooding, landslides and strong winds. The cyclone recorded wind speeds of more than 250kmph as it approached the Rakhine coast, making it one of the strongest cyclones ever to hit the country.
“In the Rakhine State capital, Sittwe, almost no house was spared damage and displacement camps in the path of the cyclone have been left in splinters. Those affected are facing a long, miserable monsoon season if we cannot mobilize resources to deliver life-saving supplies,” Mr Balakrishnan said.
Link: Cyclone Mocha Flash Appeal
Images, video and other background materials: Press handout from the UN in Myanmar on Cyclone Mocha
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Press Release
23 May 2023
IOM Mobilizes Response for Communities Devastated by Cyclone Mocha
Geneva / Yangon – Extremely severe Cyclone Mocha, which made landfall in Rakhine State of Myanmar, near its capital Sittwe, on Sunday, 14 May, has left a trail of destruction in both Rakhine state and the Northwest of Myanmar, encompassing Chin, Magway and Sagaing states. Approaching the coast with windspeeds of up to 250km per hour, the cyclone resulted in severe damage to buildings, infrastructure and the environment.
Information on the impact of the cyclone initially emerged slowly, as phone lines and internet connectivity in Rakhine were badly affected. The damage in Sittwe and surrounding low-lying areas has been severe, with most buildings affected and many houses completely destroyed. Damage in Rathedaung township is also severe. Telecommunications problems persist, however, field observations indicate damage and loss of life in several other townships as well, including Buthidaung, Kyauktaw, Maungdaw, Minbya, Mrauk-U, Pauktaw and Ponnagyun.
Information on the impact in Northwest Myanmar – already one of the areas most affected by conflict and political turmoil – is emerging slowly, but early reports suggest that several areas of Chin, Magway and Sagaing, have suffered damage due to flooding and strong winds, while flash updates from the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Aid (OCHA) indicate that almost 5.4 million people are estimated to have been in the path of the cyclone.
While many people had evacuated from areas expected to be most affected in Rakhine and other locations, evacuation centres were also hit by the storm, causing damage and partial collapse of buildings. Initial observations suggests that internally displaced persons (IDP) camps, in particular those close to the coast and riverbeds, were severely hit, greatly damaged and/or destroyed. Access to clean water and food is very limited and remains a top need for affected populations, while other priority needs include shelter, as well as non-food items such as blankets and solar lamps, and health assistance.
“It is important to remember that the areas affected by the cyclone were already in dire humanitarian need. There are more than 1.2 million IDPs in Rakhine and the Northwest alone, and 17.6 million people were already in need of assistance nationwide before this disaster,” said IOM Chief of Mission, Dragan Aleksoski. “The impact of Cyclone Mocha will further worsen the situation of people already in very difficult circumstances and therefore immediate access to the affected people for delivery of humanitarian aid is paramount.”
IOM has been present in Myanmar since 2006 and was instrumental in the response to Cyclone Nargis in 2008. IOM’s support to mobile communities in Rakhine is significant, and the Organization has been providing shelter and non-food items support, including shelter construction, site improvements, including WASH facilities, and distribution of critical items to IDP populations, such as cooking fuel sticks, tarpaulins, as well as multi-purpose cash, in coordination with shelter and camp management partners.
IOM health teams have also been providing essential health services to those most in need, in coordination with local and community-based actors, including community-based health workers and village health committees. Current support includes essential maternal, newborn and child health care services, nutrition promotion, clinical referrals, as well as direct assistance through mobile health teams, including immunization services and TB case management.
With over 240 staff across Myanmar, and direct presence in Sittwe, Maungdaw, Buthidaung, and Pauktaw, IOM is mobilizing teams to facilitate rapid support of mobile and cyclone-affected communities across Rakhine.
Surge support staff have been mobilized, and IOM teams on the ground in Rakhine are currently gauging the full impact of the cyclone, in coordination with humanitarian partners. With markets across the state severely affected, IOM is preparing to send relief items from Yangon to support immediate assistance to impacted families.
IOM health teams are also on stand-by to provide mobile health services to populations in need. Transfer of resources from other IOM missions in the region, is also being explored in light of the vast emerging needs in cyclone-affected areas, while coordination with all relevant actors to ensure critical and life-saving assistance reaches the most vulnerable is also being undertaken in line with humanitarian principles.
"We have maintained a consistent presence in Myanmar through multiple crises and remain committed to stay and deliver in support of all the people of Myanmar,” said Aleksoski.
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Press Release
14 May 2023
Humanitarian agencies on standby for scaled-up cyclone response in Western Myanmar
“Communities are bracing for the arrival of this extremely severe cyclone which is expected to be packing winds gusting to 210 kmph when it crosses the coast,” Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator a.i. Ramanathan Balakrishnan said.
The cyclone is forecast to bring strong winds and significant storm surge to coastal areas in Rakhine and evacuations of low-lying areas are already well underway through local authorities. The large weather system is expected to then move inland, bringing heavy rain in areas where there is a high risk of landslides and flooding.
Even before the cyclone, an estimated 6 million people are already in humanitarian need in the states where impacts are currently projected (Rakhine, Chin, Magway and Sagaing). Collectively, these states in the country’s west host 1.2 million displaced people, many of whom are fleeing conflict and are living in the open without proper shelter. It will also be a dangerous 24 hours for hundreds of thousands of refugees in camps in Bangladesh who are also likely to face strong winds and heavy rain as the cyclone passes just over the border in Myanmar.
“For a cyclone to hit an area where there is already such deep humanitarian need is a nightmare scenario, impacting hundreds of thousands of vulnerable people whose coping capacity has been severely eroded by successive crises,” Mr Balakrishnan said.
The humanitarian community activated its Emergency Response Preparedness Plan at the start of the week and has been engaging with all stakeholders to ensure readiness to respond. Aid organizations have been working around the clock to get humanitarian assistance to the areas most likely to be impacted and make sure affected communities know how to keep themselves safe.
“We have done everything we can to prepare by pre-positioning personnel and available stocks across the affected area so that we are ready to respond as soon as the cyclone has passed. Access to affected people and increased funding will be critical to making this assistance possible over the critical days ahead,” the Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator a.i noted.
The Myanmar Humanitarian Response Plan is less than 10 per cent funded with some essential sectors not yet receiving any funding yet this year.
“An urgent injection of funding is desperately needed so that we can ensure no one is left behind as a result of this cyclone but also so that we can keep responding to the 17.6 million people already in need as a result of other crises nationwide. I urge donors to give generously in support of the people of Myanmar at this difficult time,” Mr Balakrishnan said.
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Press Release
11 May 2023
Media advisory: In first mission to India, Special Envoy Heyzer calls for regional unity for de-escalation of violence, release of political prisoners and return to civilian rule based on the will of the people
New Delhi - The Special Envoy of the UN Secretary-General on Myanmar Noeleen Heyzer today reinforced that a unified regional approach supporting Myanmar-led solutions, in accordance with the will and needs of the people, can make tangible progress on the ground, urgently address the suffering of the people and prevent a catastrophe in the heart of Asia.
In her first visit to New Delhi as UN Special Envoy from 9 to 10 May, the Special Envoy held discussions with Minister of External Affairs of India H.E. Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, Foreign Secretary Vinay Mohan Kwatra and Joint Secretary (Bangladesh-Myanmar) Smita Pant.
Underlining that India as a neighbouring country has been particularly impacted by the situation in Myanmar, Indian officials emphasized the need for immediate cessation of violence by all sides and fostering dialogue for return of peace, stability and democracy in Myanmar. Indian officials also reiterated their support to the efforts of the UN and ASEAN.
Special Envoy Heyzer highlighted India’s key role in the United Nations and as a leader of the Global South holding the current presidency of the G20. She appreciated India’s constructive efforts towards peaceful resolution of the situation in Myanmar and also expressed the United Nations’ gratitude to the Government and people of India for generously hosting over 53,000 people from Myanmar, acknowledging the major challenges facing Myanmar’s neighbouring countries affected by the escalating conflict and violence.
In this context, the Special Envoy reinforced the need for concrete steps to resolve the crisis and build the foundation for sustainable peace and a return to civilian rule based on the will of the people, such as cessation of violence, immediate release of all political prisoners, including State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi and President Win Myint, and unimpeded humanitarian assistance through all available channels reaching the most vulnerable in areas of active conflict.
Guided by both the UN General Assembly and UN Security Council, Special Envoy Heyzer continues to closely cooperate with the ASEAN Special Envoy to create a conducive environment for inclusive dialogue and a political solution to the Myanmar crisis.
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