Diverse Myanmar is home to 135 different ethnic groups. Myanmar Red Cross has a strong national presence and support from more than 260,000 local volunteers. Red Cross provides important and impartial humanitarian support to vulnerable people across the country.
Commitment to health
Myanmar has the highest rate of HIV in South East Asia, and drug resistant malaria and tuberculosis rates are among the highest in the world. Health education and care has been a focus for Red Cross with efforts to reach some of the most vulnerable communities in Myanmar.
Following the success of a health and HIV project in Keng Tung, funded by AusAID, Myanmar Red Cross has selected Mandalay, Magway and Bago for new community-based health projects. The projects will work with communities to respond to health needs such as HIV, tuberculosis and measles, as well as hygiene and sanitation and healthcare during disasters.
Reconnecting families
In partnership with Myanmar Red Cross we support the development of a Restoring Family Links service. This service will help families separated by disasters and other emergencies re-establish contact.
Responding to disasters together
After Cyclone Nargis hit Myanmar in May 2008, Australian Red Cross, (with funds from AusAID) provided emergency shelter, water and sanitation. The worst affected areas were supplied with a water treatment module, providing 500 households with safe drinking water each day for six months.
read more about the response to Cyclone Nargis
Sharing skills
Australian Red Cross is committed to learning and sharing best practices with Myanmar Red Cross.Working in partnership, we support organisational development in many different ways - this could range from providing staff-on-loan, support developing and running programs and sharing knowledge and experiences.