The people of Myanmar need your support to weather devastating upheaval and to rebuild their lives safely. Engaged groups on the ground are finding that adolescent girls in rural villages are particularly impacted. The girls are multiply burdened -as girls, children, often poor, and those from minority ethnic and religious groups-and are quickly taking on very real adult responsibilities that put them at-risk and tend to limit their future opportunities.
Since the Myanmar military seized Parliament in February 2021, people-led forces have been engaged in armed skirmishes with the military, causing displacement and instability across the country. Public services have all but come to a standstill and the economy shrunk from losses caused by COVID-slowdowns and spiraling local currency value. Almost half of households are struggling to buy basic commodities, while young people are losing invaluable opportunities for education and growth.
Funds raised in this project will enable girls and young women to access basic material needs and assistance. While positioned at the frontline of these relief efforts, they will also be involved in the decision-making process to determine how best to use these funds and resources. With basic living costs taken care of, people can organize and rebuild locally, thus preserving pockets of civil society to ensure economic, political, and social progress made in the past decade is not reversed.
Following the coup d'etat, the situation remains unstable and tense, with neither the military nor the people's defense forces showing any sign of backing down. So, we must think about this relief in the longer-term, as this crisis will likely not be resolved for some time. Support now will provide relief to those with the greatest need, allowing people to respond strategically and tactfully. Photo credit: Frontier Myanmar.
