Making headway towards progress

Myanmar is one of the countries most affected by climate change, experiencing natural disasters including floods, cyclones, earthquakes and droughts.

In the wake of a natural disaster, basic services including water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH), are compromised.

Former military rule undermined public services and WASH remained the last priority. After 2012, economic development brought about rapid urbanisation, which denied access to WASH services in urban Myanmar to the newly migrated populations from rural communities, particularly hindering access of these basic necessities to women and children.

Though large proportions of the Myanmar population have access to clean water and basic toilets, in many rural communities, these figures are among the worse in South East Asia. Poor water quality and sanitation is holding back the progress of our country.

We need to urgently prioritise reaching these communities whose health is suffering.

Prolonged conflict in the country, compounded by the effects of climate change and geographical remoteness of communities has brought about large-scale challenges to attain sustainable water and sanitation services.

Continual movement of clusters of the population in and out of Internally displaced people's (IDP) camps due to their loss of homes further exacerbates these challenges. 

A lack of sustainable public infrastructure and resources has hampered efforts to reach people with these essentials. That is why we work with the community, our partners and the Government in investing in these areas to ensure that strong and reliable plans and systems are in place. 

There is still a lot to be done, but together we are making real progress.