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., filtered_html

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., filtered_html

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. , filtered_html

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. , filtered_html