Support Backpack Healthworker Teams in Burma

Bringing Health Care to Families Displaced by Conflict

For families forced to flee their homes, even a treatable illness can become dangerous when medicine and medical care are out of reach. BHM helps community backpack medics reach people living in isolated villages and temporary displacement camps, providing essential care amid continuing conflict.

In the first half of 2026, BHM and its partners supported 50 backpack medic teams serving communities with a combined population of more than 142,000 people. These teams reported treating 27,400 patients, including 5,085 children under five.

Medics travel on foot with medicines and supplies, adapting their routes as families move in search of safety. Recruited from the communities they serve, they bring local knowledge and trusted relationships to work that often takes place far from functioning hospitals.

Medical care and disease prevention

The supported teams provided more than 1.5 million units of medicine during the reporting period. They treated respiratory infections, malaria, diarrhea and other illnesses, while also responding to serious injuries caused by conflict.

Preventive care remains an essential part of this work. Teams administered 13,111 deworming doses and provided 13,989 vitamin A supplements to children. They also conducted 24 community health classes, helping families reduce illness through hygiene, safer water and sanitation.

During one visit to a newly established displacement camp, medics treated families for illnesses and helped residents establish temporary latrines and improve their drinking water practices. Follow-up visits allowed the team to continue caring for people whose access to health services had been disrupted.

Care for mothers and babies

Medics and community birth attendants provide prenatal care, support during childbirth and care after delivery. Supported teams reported 459 births in the first half of the year.

BHM also supports nutrition for pregnant women. Alongside medical care, this assistance addresses the difficulties of pregnancy in communities facing food insecurity and displacement. Medics receive training in newborn resuscitation to help babies who struggle to breathe immediately after birth.

Responding when violence reaches communities

Field reports describe medics reaching families after airstrikes, treating wounds and helping caregivers continue care after the team moves on. In one community, a team treated more than 60 people during a three-day visit following an attack. In another, medics found displaced families sheltering in a newly formed camp and treated pneumonia and worsening skin infections.

These visits bring essential care to people who may have no other accessible medical provider. Repeated visits also help teams identify new needs as displacement continues.

Sustaining community health care

BHM’s support extends to the people who make this work possible. Food assistance helps medics continue their service, and education support helps 52 children of medics attend school.

BHM also supports a women-led community health initiative that equips women to lead health education and disease prevention activities. This work includes children’s health classes and the distribution of vitamin A and deworming treatments.

Continuing violence, dangerous travel routes and frequent displacement make every part of this work more difficult. Yet the medics continue to reach families, treat illness and share the knowledge communities need to protect their health.

Thank you for supporting BHM and helping keep essential health care within reach for families living through conflict.