Climate Change and Disaster Resilience in Myanmar

Initial Phase (2017-2021): This technical assistance project helps community members particularly women farmers meet their daily sustenance needs through cash-for-work in most vulnerable townships in Kachin Kayin Rakhine and Shan states. This phase of the project contributed to: (1) household emergency construction initiatives in communities vulnerable to disaster and the effects of climate change (2) community and agricultural rehabilitation to increase resilience to natural hazards and climate change impacts (3) technical advisory services to help participants adapt to climate change and/or climate-induced hazards such as (i) sustainable climate-smart agriculture practices and (ii) improved adaption of agroforestry practices in high deforestation areas as well as training for women to strengthen their leadership skills and to enhance agricultural skills. Target assets were constructed and/or rehabilitated and are community-based and small-scale such as irrigation and drainage canals flood protection dikes ponds terraced farmland management rainwater collection tanks and on-farm roads. Over 25 000 women and men should have the tools to cope with the impacts of climate change and natural disasters benefitting an estimated 300 000 people in up to 300 communities. The project became inactive for more than one year as a result of instability in the implementing country. Extension Phase (2022-2024): The project has been reworked in 2022 to help 35 500 households with 177 500 community members particularly women farmers meet their daily sustenance needs. This is done through cash-for-work under the World Food Program (WFP)’s Asset Creation and Livelihood activities in targeted communities. Collaboration with WFP aims to increase the resilience to natural hazards and climate change impacts.

Initial Phase (2017-2021): The expected outcomes for this phase of the project included: (1) adverse effects of shocks on the welfare and livelihood of vulnerable people alleviated (2) essential health services for target populations enhanced (3) critical food and nutritional needs met and (4) household sustenance met and climate and disaster resilient community assets enhanced. Extension Phase (2022-2024): The expected outcomes for this phase of the project include: (1) increased the access to cash-for-work programs to 35 500 households (177 500 people 71% of whom are women); (2) encouraged leadership positions for women to reach 40% in project management committees; and (3) ensured the construction and rehabilitation of 628 rural and agricultural assets.