In the Southeast Asian multi-ethnic state of Myanmar, armed conflicts between state security forces and various ethnic groups have been ongoing for more than 70 years. With its natural resources and central location in Southeast Asia, the country has great development potential. Nevertheless, Myanmar still ranks 149th out of 190 countries on the Human Development Index, which takes into account income, life expectancy and educational opportunities (as of 2022).
Conflict, lack of investment in infrastructure and recurring natural disasters have left their mark on the country. In addition to extreme weather conditions, climate change is hitting Myanmar particularly hard. In 2019, for the seventh year in a row, the country ranked second among the countries that have been most affected by the impacts of global warming worldwide over the past 20 years (Global Climate Risk Index by Germanwatch). Nevertheless, the country has so far been ill-prepared for the challenges of climate change. Tropical storms, storm surges and tsunamis repeatedly hit the coastal regions. Large parts of the country are threatened by earthquakes, floods, landslides and droughts.
Malteser International first began working in Myanmar in 1996, implementing small-scale relief projects with local partners, and it has been active with its own staff in the country since 2001. Today, Malteser International employs more than 350 national staff in Rakhine, Shan and Kayin states, where our work aims at ensuring communities have access to primary health care services. We also offer comprehensive water, hygiene and sanitation services (WASH) and disaster risk reduction/climate change adaptation solutions, and provide relief after disasters. We strive to enable and empower the most vulnerable communities in marginalized areas through a participatory and sustainable approach.
We have been committed to strengthening local actors and thus increasing the effectiveness and efficiency of humanitarian aid. Together with strong partners, we support eight countries and 40 local partner organizations in a joint localization program (ToGETHER!), fostering capacity building in emergency aid and crisis prevention, coordination and finances, and representation of their interests. Malteser International has the operational lead in two of the participating countries: Myanmar and Bangladesh.
Goal 3 of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) aspires to “ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages.” Through our numerous projects worldwide, Malteser International is making every effort to help reach these objectives.
In Myanmar, for instance, we are building health networks in the most remote areas of the country to improve healthcare, especially for pregnant women, mothers, and children.
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Being a mother comes with a spectrum of emotions. There is mostly the pure joy of watching ones child grow, but there are also a number of unpleasant moments, like watching one's child falling sick. Mi Tueh thought she had failed as a mother until she learned about tuberculosis (TB). Find out how Malteser International is helping families affected by the disease.
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Isabel Brenn
+49 (0)221 9822-7234
Email: isabel.brenn(at)malteser-international.org
Stefanie Heil
+49-(0)221-9822-7251
Email: stefanie.heil(at)malteser-international.org
info@malteser-international.org
Malteser Hilfsdienst e.V.
Reference:
Malteser International
Account number: 1201200012
IBAN: DE103 70601201201200012
S.W.I.F.T./BIC: GENODED1PA7
(Pax Bank Cologne)
