Myanmar
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Following a decade of political and economic opening, the military coup in February 2021 has plunged Myanmar into a deep political, social, economic, and humanitarian crisis. In various parts of the country, armed resistance troops are fighting an asymmetric conflict against the military. The escalating violence exacerbates existing conflicts and has had a catastrophic impact on the civilian population: it has led to massive human rights violations and large-scale internal displacement across the country. Household income has significantly decreased due to increased unemployment, inflation, and the depreciation of the national currency. The position of women in the labour market has been further eroded.
As a consequence, poverty across the country has more than doubled since the coup. Food insecurity has increased, with roughly a quarter of the population facing acute food insecurity in 2023. The civic space has drastically narrowed, with limited media freedom, restricted rights to peaceful assembly, and deliberate legal and operational constraints on opposition parties and Civil Society Organisations (CSOs). Unsustainable and unregulated exploitation of natural resources and ecosystems is increasingly contributing to environmental degradation. The Rohingya crisis since 2017 remains unresolved, leaving over a million refugees in camps in Bangladesh with no prospects for a safe return to Rakhine State.
| Swiss Bilateral ODA | 2022 mill. CHF |
2023 mill. CHF |
2024 * mill. CHF |
|---|---|---|---|
| Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) | |||
| Bilateral development cooperation | 23.64 | 23.03 | 18.00 |
| Humanitarian aid | 13.28 | 14.51 | 9.58 |
| State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO) | |||
| Economic Cooperation and Development | 0.28 | 0.20 | 0.05 |
| Peace and Human Rights Division (PHRD) | |||
| Conflict transformation and human rights | 1.25 | 1.13 | 1.35 |
| Total SDC/SECO/PHRD | 38.45 | 38.87 | 28.98 |
| Other Federal Offices | |||
| Other FDFA Divisions (ASAF, AIO, aso) | - | - | .. |
| Network of FDFA representations abroad | 2.19 | - | .. |
| State Secretariat for Migration (SEM) | - | - | .. |
| State Secretariat for Education, Research and Innovation (SERI) | 0.08 | 0.11 | .. |
| MeteoSwiss | - | - | - |
| Federal Department of Defence, Civil Protection and Sport (DDPS) | - | - | - |
| Federal Office for the Environment (FOEN) | - | - | .. |
| Federal Statistical Office (FSO) | - | - | - |
| Federal Office of Public Health (FOPH) | - | - | - |
| State Secretariat for International Finance (SIF) | - | - | - |
| Total other Federal Offices | 2.27 | 0.11 | - |
| Cantons and municipalities | 0.13 | .. | .. |
| Total | 40.85 | 38.98 | 28.98 |
Data status at 02.04.2024
* planned; total based on available data
.. = figures not available | – = nil or amount < 5'000 CHF
Swiss Cooperation
Swiss Humanitarian Aid has been active in Myanmar since 1994. Switzerland opened a humanitarian aid office in 2008 after Cyclone Nargis and established the Embassy of Switzerland in Myanmar in 2012. It launched its first cooperation programme in 2013. Despite the military coup of 2021, Switzerland remains committed to contributing to a peaceful, democratic, inclusive, and prosperous society. Switzerland has adapted its approach and partnerships to ensure that it does not provide any technical and financial assistance to the military government along with other like-minded countries and in line with UN engagement principles. It reoriented its engagement towards the basic needs of the population and conflict reduction and increased its collaboration with multilateral organisations, non-governmental organisations (NGOs), and local civil society.
Supporter of the peace process
Myanmar is strategically located in South East Asia, is rich in natural resources and has great economic potential. Switzerland aims to contribute to the development and stability of South East Asia, including Myanmar. It remains committed to supporting the people of Myanmar and reducing the effects of the current crisis on the population, to maintain and support their democratic aspirations and to promote a sustainable and inclusive peace that benefits all citizens.
Switzerland maintains dialogue with all parties to the conflict (NUG, military regime, ethnic armed organisations, and other actors) to support their efforts to develop their own processes and pathways to a non-violent and inclusive solution. Its role is recognised and accepted by all major players and the international community. Switzerland has privileged access to some actors thanks to its support to the peace process since 2011 and strong standing in the South East. It is seen as credible, reliable, and flexible, maintaining a long-term perspective on Myanmar. Finally, Switzerland is renowned for its humanitarian tradition and specific thematic expertise, including support to negotiations, federalism and local governance, vocational training and health.
The Swiss Cooperation Programme
The Swiss Cooperation Programme combines instruments of development cooperation, humanitarian aid, peacebuilding, and human rights diplomacy to address the complex crisis and needs in the country. The SDC (development cooperation and humanitarian aid) is present with bilateral and multilateral projects, including a direct action. The Peace and Human Rights Division (PHRD) supports conflict transformation, violence reduction, and establishing pathways to peace. The portfolio is complemented by regional projects, mainly by the SECO and SDC thematic sections (e.g. Water, Food security, and Migration & Forced Displacement). Switzerland’s main partners include UN funds and programmes, the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), NGOs (Swiss, local and international), CSOs, ethnic organisations, and the private sector.
The Budget
The budget for the cooperation programme is CHF 29.5 million per year, consisting of CHF 28 million for SDC (development cooperation and humanitarian aid), CHF 1 million for PHRD, and CHF 0.5 million for SECO (in 2024).
Goals and interventions
Switzerland’s overall goal is to play a role in shaping a more democratic, peaceful, and prosperous society in Myanmar that is inclusive and resilient. It will pursue this goal through three portfolio outcomes:
It aims to do this through advocacy, dialogue promotion, confidence-building efforts, and increasing self-reliance and access to rights. Switzerland coordinates with stakeholders to de-escalate conflicts and promote pathways towards non-violent resolution while advocating for the respect of International Humanitarian Law and International Human Rights Law, unhindered humanitarian access in conflict-affected regions, and the protection of the civilian population.
Switzerland plans to support agricultural production, social protection, and emergency relief programmes. Additionally, it will support vocational skill training and micro, small and medium enterprises to improve the employability and income of young people. Lastly, it will strengthen agricultural value chains to adapt to and mitigate the effects of climate change.
It will support local service providers and local governance systems to become more sustainable and accountable to those they serve. These efforts aim to expand access to equitable and inclusive basic services (particularly in health and education) and to protect the civic space.
The cross-cutting themes of governance, gender, climate change, and disaster risk reduction will be systematically integrated into all portfolio outcomes. The Cooperation Programme will focus on vulnerable men and women, especially conflict-affected people and communities. The geographic priority areas are the South East (including Southern Shan) and Rakhine, whereas several partners/programmes have country-wide reach.
| Overall goal | Switzerland is helping to shape a more democratic, peaceful and prosperous society that is inclusive and resilient. | ||
Portfolio outcomes |
(1) |
(2) |
(3) |
Geographic focus |
South East (including South Shan) and Rakhine Several partners / programmes have country-wide reach |
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| Target groups | Vulnerable men and women, especially conflict affected people and communities | ||
Cross-cutting |
Governance, gender and climate change and disaster risk reduction | ||
Links
Documents
Current projects
Selection
Land and Natural Resources Governance (LNRG) program
01.01.2025
- 31.12.2027
Myanmar's land and natural resources are threatened by conflicts, disputes, environmental degradation, and climate change. This program will strengthen ethnic and community-based systems for better land and natural resources governance in the South East region through empowered local civil society organisations and accountable ethnic Service Departments. This support builds on past successes, and is implemented by trusted local and international partners.
Core contribution to Fondation Hirondelle, 2025-2026
01.01.2025
- 31.12.2026
Fondation Hirondelle is the leading Swiss NGO in the international media development sector. In a digital age marked by misinformation, the role of independent media is more crucial than ever, especially so in contexts of violence and crisis. Inspired by Swiss values such as democracy, dialogue and respect for minorities, Fondation Hirondelle fills a gap in crisis regions where quality information is precious. It ensures that communities are objectively informed and can make their voices heard.
Community-Based Social Cohesion Rakhine (CBSC)
01.07.2024
- 30.06.2026
In the fragile and conflict-affected context of Rakhine State, Switzerland aims to prevent violence and improve intercommunal relations between the Rohingya, Rakhine and other minority ethnic groups. It will achieve this by strengthening intercommunal institutions and facilitating community-based reconciliation and dialogue efforts in Rakhine State through community networks, civil society organization (CSOs) and local leaders.
Responsible Business Fund Plus (RBF+)
01.07.2024
- 30.06.2028
Myanmar’s post-coup conflict escalation and economic turmoil has led to financial and economic instability and destabilised the agrifood industry. Also, extreme weather and climate change further impact farmers and agricultural processors. The Responsible Business Fund Plus project aims to support agrifood businesses while reducing their environmental impact and thus deepening Switzerland's commitment to private sector engagement and an inclusive green economy.
Community-based Health Services and System Strengthening Support in Sagaing
01.05.2024
- 30.04.2027
Three years after the military coup in Myanmar, targeted attacks and scrutiny in the health sector by the military junta led to a partial or total lack of access to healthcare in various regions, particularly in the dry zone. Through this project, Switzerland aims to support locally-led and inclusive community-based health system in Sagaing to provide essential, emergency, quality primary health care services, while ensuring the transition to a new decentralized and inclusive health system.
Contributions to WFP protracted crises Country Strategic Plans in 2024
01.01.2024
- 31.12.2024
The World Food Programme (WFP) is one of Switzerland’s key multilateral partners due to its unique double mandate of "saving lives" and "changing lives" around food security. The WFP Strategic Plan 2022-2025 lays out the overall objectives in order to eradicate hunger. Contributing to WFP programmes in selected countries with protracted humanitarian needs allows Switzerland to achieve the humanitarian and development goals defined in its Strategy on International Cooperation for 2021-2024.
Contributions 2024 to ICRC Country Programs in protracted crises
01.01.2024
- 31.12.2024
The ICRC is the most important partner of SDC in the humanitarian field. About one third of the SDC Humanitarian Aid budget is allocated to the ICRC. The contribution of CHF 56 million to ICRC country programs reflects Switzerland’s interest to have a strong ICRC throughout the world and to contribute to alleviate the suffering of people affected by conflicts.
Contribution to Livelihood and Food Security Fund (LIFT)
01.01.2024
- 31.12.2028
The military coup in February 2021 and the escalating violence and conflict increased poverty and food insecurity among vulnerable populations, and decreased livelihood opportunities and agricultural production. The LIFT Strategy 2024-2028 tackles Myanmar’s food security and poverty crisis and aims to strengthen the resilience and the livelihoods of poor and vulnerable groups to withstand climate and other shocks. Switzerland adds value through its extensive experience in steering multi-donor funds, thematic expertise and its nexus expertise.
Myanmar - Access to Health Fund
01.01.2024
- 31.12.2028
Myanmar has seen very low levels of basic health services due to seven decades long conflict. The progresses achieved during the last civilian government were reversed by the military coup in 2021, leading to a nearly collapse of the national health system and an increase of humanitarian needs. Through the Access to Health Fund, Switzerland supports the provision of equitable and critical health services to vulnerable people in conflict-affected areas through the strengthening on ethnic and community health systems.
Contribution to the Trust Fund for the Independent Investigative Mechanism for Myanmar (IIMM)
01.01.2024
- 31.12.2026
By contributing to the Trust Fund of the IIMM for the second phase, Switzerland will continue to support the collection of evidence on international law abuses and crimes in Myanmar. This support will allow the Mechanism to strengthen accountability for human rights which is otherwise impossible from within the country and in support of eventual justice being delivered. This support fits and complements well the Swiss cooperation programme 2024-27.
Strengthening Civil Society in Myanmar – Paung Ku
01.07.2023
- 30.06.2027
In Myanmar, civic space has considerably shrunk since the military coup. In the absence of a legitimate government, networks of independent civil society organisations (CSOs) are essential actors for basic service provision and promotion of democratic values and human rights. Showing commitment to localisation, Switzerland will enable local CSOs to further support vulnerable communities and to protect the foundations of a pluralistic and inclusive society.
Myanmar - Strengthened self-reliance of displacement-affected communities in Shan, Rakhine and Kayah States (SSDC)
15.06.2023
- 14.06.2026
Myanmar’s prolonged civil war intensified by the military coup has displaced more than 1.8 million civilians and caused immense suffering. Local actors have been faster, more effective and generally better placed to respond to humanitarian and basic needs of displacement-affected communities. Switzerland will strengthen localization of aid by partnering with Meikswe, a multi-sectoral local NGO operating in the nexus, to increase protection and self-reliance of affected communities.
