MYANMAR (ex Burma) from 1998 to 2017
In 1998 PARTNERS begaFollowing a reconnaissance mission in 1995, PARTENAIRES launched its first projects in Myanmar in 1998. PARTENAIRES was one of the oldest NGOs active in Myanmar and one of the few French ones.
OUR FIELDS OF ACTION
- – Access to drinking water: construction of water reservoirs, well drilling, enlargement of ponds, etc.
- – Sanitary blocks in 105 schools, with sinks, toilets and septic tanks
- – Construction and renovation of schools
- – Health and hygiene training: information campaigns and awareness sessions
- – Improvement of living conditions and food security: programs to combat hunger and poverty.
PARTENAIRES also worked in other fields: child protection (2002-2003), AIDS prevention (2005-2006), emergency actions for families and schooling for some 2,000 students after the Cyclone Nargis in May 2008, which caused 140,000 deaths and 2 million refugees.
OUR PROJECTS
IN 2014-2015
With the World Food Program (WFP):
- Hunger and poverty reduction in villages around Yenanchaung and Chauk
- Infrastructure and erosion prevention works
- Improved schooling
- Health and hygiene training: information campaigns and awareness sessions
- Construction/renovation of schools in Bell Seik, Nan Lin Kan and Wa Pyi Tha and Kone Sar Lae.
With UNICEF, sanitation through the construction of toilet blocks and sinks in 105 schools in the department of Myaing.
IN 2016
• With the World Food Programme, following the floods, repair of houses and 10 km of roads in the departments of Salin and Yenanchaung
• Construction and renovation of the Tha Si school (6 new classes)
• With UNICEF, repair of schools following earthquakes
• With the Australian Embassy, installation of 500 “mini-gardens” in the most disadvantaged households in the departments of Salin and Chauk.
Slides: Garden Towers in Myanmar>
FINALLY IN 2017
• With the WFP, renovation of roads
• Construction and/or renovation of the schools of Myo Soe (5 new classes) and Poke Pa Kan (2 buildings of 5 classes)
• Installation of 600 “mini-gardens” in the departments of Salin and Chauk.
OUR AREAS OF INTERVENTION
YANGON REGION
TOWNS OF SHWE PYI THA, KYAUKTAN, HMAWBI, TAIKKYI AND HLEGU
Our actions began in 2000 in Shwe Pyi Tha, a large underprivileged suburb located 35 km north of Yangon. About 250,000 people live in this agglomeration, which is home to several ethnic groups. The average daily income per family was less than €1.50, with high unemployment and slim prospects for finding a stable job.
From 2008 PARTENAIRES extended its actions around Yangon to other zones in difficulty: Kyauktan and Hlegu, then Hmawbi and in 2014 Kawmu (constituency of MP Aung San Suu Kyi).
MAGWAY REGION (or Dry Zone)
TOWNS OF YENANCHAUNG, CHAUK, SALIN, MYOTHIT AND MYAING
The Dry Zone is an arid region located in the center of the country. For several years, the rains have been starting later and later and the monsoon, which lasts from May to September in the rest of the country, is limited to a few summer showers for many villages in the region. Besides the lack of water, the region is markedly underdeveloped. As the predominantly rural population is dependent on traditional agriculture, employment opportunities are limited to 5-6 months per year. To survive the rest of the year, 80% of households have no choice but to go into debt, usually to buy food.
This area is neglected by the country’s administration and receives little or no help from the international community. PARTENAIRES obtained authorizations to work in five departments of the Dry Zone, including two where no other NGO was present.
OUR TEAM IN 2016-2017
2 expatriate volunteers acted as country representative and technical expert alongside the Burmese Field Coordinator.
The team in Yangon: Ni Ni, Kaw Than Oo, Victoria, Sophie and Ma Lu
10 local employees organized the execution and monitoring of the construction sites (their number varied according to the programs in progress).
