Asia

Myanmar

Food security
Health
Nutrition
Protection
Water, sanitation & hygiene

1984

mission start date

160

national staff

expatriate staff

86 641

people supported

1984

mission start date

160

national staff

expatriate staff

86 641

people supported

Context

The living conditions of people in Myanmar keep deteriorating after nearly seven decades of internal conflict, natural disasters and the February 2021 military coup. Political instability, on-going insecurity, underdevelopment, poverty, climatic shocks and food insecurity all contribute to exacerbate the vulnerability of the population and the difficulties of in access to relief. These difficulties drive people and communities away from basic social services, sometimes leading them to resort to negative coping or adaptation strategies.

Since October 2023, more than 1 million additional persons have been displaced within the country. With no respite from conflict or political and economic turbulence in sight, 2024 is another year of dire struggle for the people of Myanmar. This deepening crisis is impacting now a third of the population, about 18.6 million people.

Our approach
Description of the mission

As early as 1984, Première Urgence Internationale teams have implemented counselling, training and health programs for Karen health workers in Kayin State, and then moved to Thailand in 1995 before opening an office in Myanmar in 2001.

For 40 years now, our teams have been supporting the population in need across the country to deliver services in primary healthcare, maternal, new-born and child healthcare, sexual and reproductive health & rights, sexual and gender based violence, HIV prevention, protection and counselling, nutrition, food security and livelihoods, as well as water, sanitation and hygiene.

Our teams now provide relief directly but also through local partners. With 160 employees based in three regions, and with the support of 300 volunteers and peer educators, we provide assistance to the most in need despite the challenges.

Premiere Urgence Internationale
in action

Première Urgence Internationale is present in the Yangon area, as well as Southern Shan and Kayin states. It supports communities in need, host communities and displaced persons who live in camps or informal settlements.

In Yangon, Première Urgence Internationale runs sexual and reproductive health & rights services related to HIV and other sexually transmitted infections (complemented by food distributions to patients), including sex workers. They also provide family planning and gender-based violence awareness.
In Southern Shan teams focus heavily on sexual and reproductive health & rights with a static and outreach service package, capacity building, and awareness raising. They also provide nutrition assessments and the prevention of micronutrient deficiencies, food distributions, front line workers capacity building, hygiene awareness and hygiene kits distribution, and finally gender-based violence awareness.
In Kayin State, Première Urgence Internationale’s relief includes emergency response primary health care, psychosocial support, referral services, maternal, newborn and child health services, nutrition assessment and prevention, sexual and reproductive health & rights, gender-based violence awareness, as well as hygiene promotion and hygiene kits distribution.

Medical consultation in a mobile clinic – Kayin State – 2023 @Première Urgence Internationale

Medical consultation in a mobile clinic – 2022 @Première Urgence Internationale

1984, opening of the mission with the training of medical personnel in Kayin State ©Première Urgence Internationale

Clinic dedicated to sexual and reproductive health consultations in South Shan – 2023 @Première Urgence Internationale / Tania Rieu

Xavier Grosset

Myanmar Head of mission © Première Urgence Internationale

“With the mission celebrating its 40th anniversary, I am proud to be part of this Myanmar team and its great humanitarian accomplishments. However, despite the lack of information in the media, the people here need our support more than ever. With the support of its partners, Première Urgence Internationale will continue its work to improve access to basic services and dignified living conditions.”