Improve Health for Mothers and Babies in Myanmar

Unfortunately, the unrest in Karen state, Myanmar continues. Troop reinforcements arriving in the area are causing thousands of villagers to flee to the forest and they dare not return. 

Community leaders and staff in all districts and camps are still working, doing community organizing, home visits andcare for most vulnerable. They engage with local partners to develop capacity and provide psychosocial support as best they can. Access is made more difficult because of the rainy season and the spread of COVID.

The rainy season is creating difficulties for Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) hiding in forests and there are increased health problems due to recentoutbreaks of malaria and flu in IDP areas. Karen community workers are addressing their health needs but have limited resources.

Community workers have been able to provide some women’s hygiene kits to IDPs and to some villagers who have returned from displacement.
Women and girls are experiencing increased challenges in accessing adequate sexual and reproductive health services due to the collapse of the health system, movement restrictions, and displacement. 685,000 women are currently pregnant in the country, and around 250 preventable maternal deaths could occur over the next month if women could not access emergency obstetric care. Your support to this program is certainly providing valuable as women who have benefited from the Baby Kit and Maternal Health program are able to share their knowledge and experience with others. This shows that the 'ripple' effect makes an impact. The mothers provide important psycho-social support to their peers in these tough times.

Thank you very much.