Improve Health for Mothers and Babies in Myanmar

In the last six months unrest in the Karen region of Myanmar forced many to flee their homes, particularly in Tanintharyi township. As a result five villages in this township and several neighboring ones have been affected. There are now 600,000 Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in Karen areas and many are living in tents and having to endure the rain. It is particularly difficult to get hold of good nutritious foods in the rainy season and food insecurity and nutrition issues have a major impact on the health of pregnant woman, nursing mothers and children.

Local midwives, trained under the Maternal Health program are helping mothers to give birth while they are also fleeing to safety. Some health workers have been arrested while the brave workers who have not, keep safe and work discreetly.

This emphasises the importance of maternal health training and providing baby kits.

One community worker commented “Some mothers cannot breastfeed their baby and the alternative of infant milk powders is unavailable. We are trying to provide for those mothers. and children, who are in emergency need of nutrition and baby milk formula.”

Meanwhile, many young women are joining the network to provide more support. These include graduates of Karen Young Women Leadership School and, at district and township level, a workshop for 50 community workers has been teaching them to improve their skills in writing case studies and story guidelines, thinking and creative skills, group management, evaluation and monitoring.

Thank you for your support to these brave women.