BRAC Myanmar started operating in 8 regions in 2013, and currently has the following active projects: Agriculture, Food Security and Livelihood, Disaster Reduction and Resilience Building, and Financial Inclusion.
COUNTRY SITUATION
The agriculture sector is the primary source of livelihood for many households in rural areas of Myanmar and employs 70% of the labour force. Weak market linkages, climate change, production costs, access to adequate financing, access to quality seed, and insufficient knowledge of good agricultural practices are the challenges farmers face that require support from the government and non-government organisations. The pandemic has created further financial difficulties for farmers this year. Myanmar is vulnerable to natural disasters such as cyclones, storm surges, tsunamis, strong winds, earthquakes and fires. While some parts of the country are exposed to landslides and droughts, heavy rainfall induced flooding is a recurring phenomenon across the country.
The coronavirus outbreak has overwhelmed the healthcare system in the country, with many hospitals empty due to work boycotts by pro-democracy medical staff members. On the other hand, BRAC Myanmar’s financial inclusion project is based in Kayin State, which has been ravaged by civil war for over 60 years, leaving large parts of the population unserved and underserved, resulting in a strong demand for financing to break the poverty cycle.
Our Approach
BRAC Myanmar takes a participatory, community-based, and inclusive approach to designing context-specific, impactful programmes. Our interventions in urban, rural and conflict affected people settings prioritise the equitable participation of all groups, particularly women and farm-based networks. We work directly with communities, keeping their voice and their story at the centre of our programmes.
Our Programmes
Agriculture, Food Security and Livelihood
BRAC Myanmar’s Agriculture, Food Security and Livelihood programme provides nutritious and affordable food and income for poor and vulnerable households. Our focus is to increase the availability and access of freshwater aquaculture products produced sustainably by small-scale fish farmers through our small-scale aquaculture support. We deliver modules covering aquaculture, pond-dike cropping, and nutrition to households and producer groups in villages in Shwebo Township, Khin Oo and Wet-let in Sagaing Region, Madaya Township in Mandalay Region, Taunggyi and Namhsan Townships in Southern Shan State. BRAC Myanmar also provides technical and financial support to smallholder farmers through access to credit. We developed a tailored agriculture loan product that considers the crop cycle and applies only 4-5 months of instalment scheme. Our programmes also help farmers achieve financial literacy along with training on how to improve and grow their agriculture and aquaculture, as well as price and other technical services.
Agriculture, Food Security and Livelihood
Emergency Preparedness and Response Programme
The purpose of our Emergency Preparedness and Response Programme (EPRP) is to strengthen the culture of resilience and reduce exposure from disasters. At the community level, we support practical actions that enable communities to improve their lives and shape their own future. While the project was active, we collaborated with national and local governments and other stakeholders to build capacity for emergency preparedness and response in communities, schools, and local governments in Yangon and Bago regions. As part of the COVID-19 recovery response, BRAC Myanmar also conducted health talks and mobile health clinics, training on proper agricultural practices for farmers, access to safe drinking water and latrines, and nutritional support in the flood-affected regions. The EPRP project ended in April 2021.
Emergency Preparedness and Response Programme
Financial Inclusion Project
Through the Financial Inclusion project, BRAC Myanmar aims to improve the life of conflict-affected people of Kayin and increase their access to financial services. This project is adapting and using BRAC’s “Graduation Model” which builds on key components and gives people with disabilities the skills, preparation, and self-confidence they need to develop sustainable livelihoods.
Financial Inclusion Project
Microfinance
BRAC Myanmar Microfinance Company Limited launched in 2013. It provides inclusive financial services to people living at the bottom of the pyramid, with a strong focus on women living in rural and hard-to-reach areas, and marginalised populations. With 85 branches in 95 townships of the country, it has the third largest branch network among all microfinance operators in Myanmar.
Microfinance
OUR IMPACT
borrowers in Q1 2021
farmers participated in training on innovative delivery methods
total people served
people reached with COVID-19 awareness raising in 2020
OUR PROGRAMME MAP
Photo & Video Gallery
Donors & Partners
Country Leadership Team
Contact Us
BRAC MYANMAR
No.17, Pyi Thar Yar Housing, Street 1 (Thukhitar Street)
15 Ward, Yankin Township, Yangon, Myanmar.
T: +9518603578
E: bracmyanmar@brac.net