Myanmar
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Embassy |
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Mission / Delegation / Permanent Representation |
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Consulate general |
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Honorary representation |
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Cooperation office |
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Contribution Office |
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Embassy with Cooperation Office |
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Embassy with Regional consular center |
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Swiss Business Hub |
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Swissnex |
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City |
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Capital |
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Disputed border |
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River |
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Lake |
Myanmar, with a population of 60 million, is in the midst of three major transformations: from an authoritarian military rule to democratic governance; from a centrally-planned to a market-driven economy; and from 60 years of armed conflict to consolidated peace. Yet progress is constrained by continued distrust between ethnic, religious and political groups; the continued monopolisation of resources by an economic elite; and weak social services and institutions.
Switzerland aims to contribute to the steady construction of peace and an open, democratic society, the reduction of chronic poverty, and the growth of a sustainable national economy. All stakeholders within the federal administration coordinate their activities using a common approach. Key partners in the development cooperation are:
- Swiss NGOs: Swisscontact, 600 young people
- Government and authorities at central, state and district level
- Local NGOs
- Representatives of ethnic groups
- International NGOs: Norwegian Refugee Council
- Multilateral organisations: UNFPA, WFP, ICRC, UNICEF, OCHA, UNHCR, IOM, UNOPS (United Nations Office for Project Service)
Swiss Bilateral ODA |
2018 |
2019 |
2020* |
|---|---|---|---|
mill. CHF |
mill. CHF |
mill. CHF |
|
| Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) | |||
| Bilateral development cooperation | 25.19 | 25.85 | 24.00 |
| Humanitarian aid | 12.92 | 10.90 | 10.94 |
| State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO) | |||
| Economic Cooperation and Development | 2.52 | 2.08 | 1.40 |
| Human Security Division (HSD) | |||
| Conflict transformation and human rights | 0.95 | 1.16 | 1.41 |
| Total SDC/SECO/HSD | 41.58 | 39.99 | 37.75 |
| Other Federal Offices | |||
| Network of FDFA representations abroad | 4.30 | 2.44 | .. |
| State Secretariat for Education, Research and Innovation (SERI) | 0.05 | 0.03 | .. |
| Total other Federal Offices | 4.35 | 2.47 | – |
| Cantons and municipalities | 0.22 | .. | .. |
| Total | 46.15 | 42.46 | 37.75 |
Swiss government spending for development and cooperation for the current year and the past two years, broken down by institution.
* planned; total based on available data
.. = figures not available | – = nil or amount < 5'000 CHF
Vocational education and training
Training and access to employment
Switzerland works in cooperation with all the key partners (the government, private sector, development agencies) to expand training opportunities for young and disadvantaged people in rural areas, and to meet the high training needs of the tourism industry. It is also committed to policy changes in the vocational skills development sector in Myanmar (qualification framework, certifications mechanisms, standards).
Agriculture and food security
Access to land and productive resources for farmers
Switzerland is committed to supporting the adaptation of national policies related to land use and natural resources management at the policy level. At the local level in south-eastern Myanmar, it supports initiatives to promote smallholder rubber production value chains in the coastal low land and sustainable use of aquatic resources in the Gulf of Mottama. Food assistance is also provided in critical and emergency situations through partners such as the World Food Programme (WFP).
Health, social services and local governance
Access to health care, infrastructure and decision-making
Switzerland is committed to improving access to quality health care services in the rural areas of south-eastern Myanmar, with a focus on maternal, child and newborn health. It also supports the development of the health system in Myanmar at the policy level.
Improving community infrastructure such as schools, roads and health centres remains one of Switzerland’s important contributions in Myanmar's remote and post-conflict areas. An initiative to strengthen the voice and capacity of civil society organisations and the local authorities in the country's current development debate is also being supported.
Promotion of peace, democratisation and protection
Supporting the transition to a peaceful and inclusive society
In the area of peacebuilding, Switzerland provides direct support to the parties in negotiation by providing advisory services to government and ethnic groups, and promotes a broader inclusion of civil society and women in the negotiation process.
Swiss engagement for democratisation aims at increasing the acceptance of democratic values and norms within Myanmar society. It strengthens the legal framework by assisting relevant reforms (e.g. electoral system, judiciary) and by advocating for the ratification of key international instruments. In all its activities special consideration is given to vulnerable groups, in particular internally displaced persons, refugees, returnees, children and victims of mines.
History of cooperation
Greater commitment following the political upheavals
Switzerland has been involved in the Myanmar since 1994, primarily through the SDC's Humanitarian Aid Department. In November 2012, Switzerland opened an embassy in Myanmar. Swiss humanitarian activities are being complemented by a broader programme to support the transition to democracy, consolidation of peace and poverty reduction. Myanmar is part of the SDC’s regional Mekong programme.
Engagement in fragile contexts and prevention of violent conflicts
Links
Documents
Current projects
Selection
MYA: CDNH Emergency Conflict EWER Rakhine
23.05.2017
- 31.12.2017
Emergency response to address malnutrition through improved nutrition, mental health and care practices in Maungdaw District, Rakhine State
01.05.2017
- 31.05.2018
The violence that took place on October 9 2016, and the ensuing insecurity across Northern Rakhine State (NRS), resulted in the suspension of humanitarian services in the area. Many of the affected people missed out on their seasonal food assistance, school feeding and regular nutrition support for at least three months, resulting in a significant negative impact on the food security, health and nutritional status, and mental health of vulnerable families. With this emergency response, Action Contre la Faim (ACF) will address increased malnutrition through an integrated program, which aims to reduce child and Pregnant and Lactating Women (PLW) undernutrition, mortality and morbidity.
Township Democratic Local Governance (TDLG)
01.12.2016
- 31.12.2021
In Mon State, with a traditionally strong Swiss presence, the project promotes a participatory, inclusive and transparent process around development grants, in order to improve the delivery of basic services at Township and village levels. Together with the state’s authorities, with the aim of including the governance structures of the Ethnic Armed Groups, the living conditions and space for democracy for the local people in ten Townships should improve with tangible development results.
Joint Peace Fund (JPF)
01.04.2016
- 31.12.2021
The Joint Peace Fund (JPF) is a multi-donor fund for joint action in, on and around the peace process, bringing together conflict parties (GoM and armed groups), civil society organizations and international donors. The JPF is managed by the United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS) and a Technical Secretariat from the Nordic International Support Foundation (NIS). As there is no peace without development and no development without peace, this fund is crucial for a concerted action of all stakeholders.
PROMISE: Poverty Reduction through Safe Migration, Skills Development and Enhanced Job Placement
01.11.2015
- 31.08.2021
Migration to Thailand has increasingly become a poverty reduction strategy for marginalized households. It gives a higher income to the individual and, through remittances supports their community of origin. However migrants are often exposed to precarious labour conditions. PROMISE promotes skills development and safe migration and improves thus the livelihoods of the migrants in Thailand and their communities of origin in Cambodia, Laos and Myanmar.
WFP Secondment Protection and Gender Advisor
01.06.2015
- 31.12.2016
In Myanmar especially conflict affected and rural populations suffer from moderate to severe malnutrition; but also extreme weather conditions may increase the situation of food insecurity. In recent years there have been reports on protection gaps in the implementation of WFP programmes and women and children are struggling to receive support. The secondment will provide technical support in the domain of protection and gender to the WFP country program.
UN Trade Cluster Myanmar
01.05.2018
- 30.04.2022
The UN Trade Cluster country project Myanmar will be implemented in Shan State (Inle Lake area) by UNCTAD, ILO, UNIDO and ITC. The project provides for two outcomes in the area of horticulture supply and sustainable tourism development, while preparing the necessary conditions for selected value chains linking both sectors (backward linkages).
Sustaining Competitive and Responsible Enterprises SCORE, Phase III
01.10.2017
- 31.12.2021
SCORE is one of SECO's flagship programmes to foster more & better jobs in small and medium enterprises (SME) in partner countries. SCORE provides on-the-job training for workers and managers to improve productivity and working conditions in SMEs and help them to participate in global supply chains. SCORE is a joint programme with Norway and ILO.
