Since 1992, FXB Switzerland has been active in promoting sustainable development and improving the living conditions of the most vulnerable communities in Myanmar, where it is registered as an international non-governmental organization.
Context
This country has suffered from recurrent political conflicts since its independence in 1948. In 2021, a new crisis broke out, with the return of the military to power, ending a small decade of transition to democracy. In recent years, the people of Myanmar have been traumatized by unprecedented levels of human suffering.
Many of the country's impressive development gains over the past 15 years are now being wiped out. Political instability has intensified armed conflicts between the military junta and the various ethnic armed groups. Nearly half of the population now lives below the poverty line.
Our action in Myanmar
1.FXB Floating Clinics: Allowing people living along the river Irrawaddy to access adequate health care.
To ensure access to adequate health care and prevention for isolated populations living along the Irrawaddy River, two cruise ships have been transformed into floating clinics. Each is equipped with a consultation room, a pharmacy and a space for small surgical procedures, gynaecological consultations or dental and ophthalmological care. Training is also provided on health prevention and gender-based violence.
More than 50,000 services are provided annually, significantly improving access to health care and prevention, and covering more than 40% of the population of the basin served. To cope with the collapse of the health system and maximize the impact of the project, 400 community health workers have already been trained. They play an essential role in providing first aid, providing neonatal care at home and strengthening community knowledge on health, including sexual and reproductive health and prevention of gender-based violence.
2.Helping young people to acquire skills and facilitate their entry into the world of work
Every year, 250 young people are trained through the vocational training programme, both within the FXB Vocational Training Centre in Yangon and through the Vocational Training Units, which reach young people and displaced persons living in areas without access to these services.
The programme offers a variety of training courses, lasting up to 24 months, in various fields such as clothing, interior decoration, weaving, wood and metalworking, as well as hotels. The Yangon FXB Centre also hosts about 30 vulnerable children each day who have dropped out of school, offering them informal education tailored to their needs.
All our apprentices receive practical and theoretical training as well as teaching aimed at strengthening their daily skills and self-esteem. Graduates are accompanied at each stage of their job search until a decent employment contract is obtained. Those who turn to self-employment receive financial support to start their microenterprise, as well as mentoring until their project is successful.
Our showroom, located in the city of Yangon, offers a varied collection of furniture, lamps, fabrics, carpets, curtains, ecological pens, clothes and toys. It is intended for local clients, as well as expatriates, hotels, businesses and visiting tourists. These high-quality items are produced by about fifteen FXB graduates.
3. Protecting Women and Girls First
FXB promotes access to and rights to sexual and reproductive health services, while working to eliminate violence against women and girls in several states. It also runs shelters for survivors of gender-based violence, in a context where deep-rooted discrimination perpetuates a culture of impunity and tolerance for violations of women's rights.
These actions are mainstreamed into other FXB projects, including floating clinics, FXB Villages and vocational training programmes, to ensure a holistic and sustainable approach.
4.HIV/AIDS: Reducing the number of new infections
Through our Sunday Empowerment Group (SEG) project, a combined approach of interventions is implemented with sex workers and other key populations. It aims to improve access to HIV testing services, ensure effective care through access to antiretroviral therapy and ensure continuity of care.
Psychosocial support is also provided to people living with HIV to strengthen their resilience and enable them to lead a successful life despite the challenges of the disease. Improved health outcomes include better focus on the national AIDS programme, thus ensuring adequate and sustainable medical follow-up
5. Combating the multidimensional causes of poverty: 4 community and economic development projects VillageFXB
The VillageFXB model was implemented in the Mon and Kayin states in 2017. More than 2,500 adults and children have received declining support over three years: the time it takes to move from extreme poverty to sustainable economic and social autonomy. These projects also affected nearly 40,000 community members.
The beneficiary families, after receiving training in finance and project management, received initial capital to create income-generating activities (microenterprises) and participate actively in the Associations Villageoises d'Epargne et de Crédit (AVEC). They also received food aid at the beginning of the project, enabling them to regain a satisfactory health. This has given them the energy to invest fully in their economic activities, while their children can continue their education better.
Throughout the three years, comprehensive support was provided: support for school enrolment and vocational training for children and young people, access to adequate health care and improvement of housing conditions and health infrastructure. They had the opportunity to acquire key skills in health and social issues, thereby promoting their overall development and ensuring the sustainability of the project's impact on their quality of life.
FXB has also integrated resilience and adaptation to the impacts of climate change into its activities, ensuring that marginalized communities are prepared to respond to the environmental challenges that disproportionately affect them.
Equality between women and men is not only a fundamental human right, it is also a condition for a prosperous and sustainable world. Thus, special attention is paid to the economic empowerment of women and the promotion of their leadership. Because women play a key role in the development of their communities, FXB sets up specific activities to strengthen their skills, promote their access to sustainable economic opportunities and enhance their role as actors of change, including by encouraging their active participation in decision-making within their families and communities. It also aims to raise community awareness of domestic and sexual violence, gender equality, sexual and reproductive health and rights.
FXB wishes to replicate this model in other Myanmar states where socio-economic challenges are similar, in order to maximize its large-scale positive impact and foster sustainable change for vulnerable communities. This model has several strategic advantages:
- It is relatively simple to implement, even in complex contexts.
- It is economically viable because its cost is reasonable in relation to the impacts achieved.
- It strengthens community resilience by combining interventions tailored to local realities.
Our Impact in Myanmar
have been affected by our programmes since 1993.
have received declining support over three years since 2017 through the VillageFXB model.
are trained every year through the vocational training programme, both within the FXB Vocational Training Centre in Yangon and through the Itinerary Vocational Training Units,
The economic and community development efforts of the VillageFXB model, combined with improved access to health, education and vocational training, are aimed at strengthening the economic and social fabric of the most vulnerable communities.
At the same time, our advocacy on key issues such as HIV, human trafficking, gender-based violence, sexual and reproductive health, and related rights have had a significant impact on many lives.
FXB has also responded agilely to humanitarian emergencies, conducting reconstruction operations following natural disasters such as cyclone Nargis and other major floods.
This comprehensive approach, combining long-term development programmes and emergency relief, demonstrates FXB's commitment to providing holistic and sustainable support to Myanmar communities.
Life course
Moet Moet had to leave primary school to support his family. Despite her lack of training, she was able to complete a 24-month sewing training course at the Yangon FXB Centre. Thanks to her great will and support from FXB, she opened her own sewing workshop after graduating two years ago. Today, it generates a net income of around 100 $ a month, enabling him to support himself and his family.
"Beyond technical skills, I learned to trust myself and to believe in the future. This formation gave me a real inner strength and a more serene vision of my life."