Myanmar

Political conflicts are a great burden to the country since decades. Since 2021, the country is facing a crisis again. Helvetas has adapted its projects and integrating humanitarian activities into its long-term development projects. Helvetas supports rural and urban people to improve their incomes through skills training, farming, fishing and trades. Sustainable coastal management to protect biodiversity is another working field. Cooperation with and support to private actors and community-based organizations is key in the whole program.

Capital

Naypyidaw
Area

676,577 km²
UN DEVELOPMENT INDEX*

Rank: 150 out of 193
Population

54,363,000
People supported per year

45,000
Thematic focus

Education and Vocational Skills
Private Sector Development
Voice, Inclusion & Cohesion
Gender & Social Equity
Urban Engagement

* Source: UN Data

Mandalay earthquake of March 28, 2025

+++ Helvetas provides emergency response +++

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An earthquake with a magnitude of 7.7 struck the Mandalay region in central Myanmar on 28 March 2025, causing massive destruction. More than 5,400 people lost their lives, and tens of thousands of households lost their homes. One year after the disaster, a large part of the affected population is still living in temporary shelters. While the immediate emergency response has largely been completed, reconstruction is progressing slowly—hampered by ongoing conflicts, a weakened economy, and high fuel prices.

Helvetas has been active in Myanmar for many years. Together with local partner organisations, we continue to support the affected population where the need is greatest. The focus is on access to clean drinking water, food security, as well as hygiene and health. In parallel, Helvetas supports the safe reconstruction of houses and strengthens the livelihoods of affected households, for example through seeds, organic fertiliser, and the promotion of local small businesses. These measures link earthquake relief with a longer-term perspective.

The experiences gained from emergency aid and reconstruction are being incorporated into Helvetas’ long-term programmes in Myanmar. For many years, we have been working together with local partner organisations for sustainable development, secure livelihoods, and better future prospects—also beyond acute crises.

Skills Training

One focus is on skills training of young women and men, particularly for many teenagers, who never finished school. Working together with businesses, Helvetas enables young people to develop manual skills so they can earn a living or at least improve their income. In sewing and tailoring courses, for example, young women learn a new craft and, after several months of coursework, can look for work as seamstresses or set up shop on their own. Furthermore, the digital skills training has proved to be key when in the last years, due to COVID and security concerns, mobility was hampered.

Preservation of biodiversity

Helvetas promotes the sustainable use of natural resources, especially to protect declining fish populations, and the unique and endangered biodiversity along the coastline. Women and men in coastal communities get an alternative source of income in the processing of fish products and agriculture. Helvetas also contributes to the preservation of biodiversity by promoting the production and export of special indigenous plants, such as the Thanaka tree, whose wood and bark are traditionally used to make cosmetics.

Humanitarian assistance to refugees

Myanmar is again facing a crisis and armed conflict. This has led to large scale displacements of civilians and is putting an enormous burden on people that were already facing poverty. Helvetas Myanmar is engaged in direct support to IDPs with food aid and education in crisis situations.

Visit the website of Helvetas Myanmar.

The country programme in Myanmar is co-funded by the SDC programme contribution.