Enhanced Livelihood Recovery and Community Resilience in Earthquake-Affected Areas in Myanmar through Employment Intensive Approaches

This intervention supports communities in Myanmar’s Shan State and Mandalay region affected by the March 2025 earthquake, which impacted over 17 million people and caused more than US$10.97 billion in damages. It focuses on creating jobs, rebuilding essential infrastructure and providing new skills to help people recover and build resilience. Priority is given to women, youth, displaced persons, and low-income households. The intervention's objectives are to restore vital rural infrastructure and provide immediate income opportunities through employment-intensive activities, addressing the urgent early recovery requirements of earthquake-affected communities. Key activities include the rehabilitation and reconstruction of infrastructure and WASH (Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene) facilities, alongside vocational and entrepreneurial training for vulnerable groups, especially those affected by armed conflict and ongoing economic crisis since the 2021 coup. Implementation is carried out through non-state actors, in compliance with the ILO principles and the resolution adopted by the International Labour Conference in June 2025 under Article 33 of the ILO Constitution, as well as the United Nations Country Team programmatic engagement guidelines for Myanmar. The initiative is also aligned with Myanmar’s Humanitarian Needs and Response Plan. Adopting a multifaceted strategy, the initiative aims to generate more than 25,000 days of decent work, with a target of at least 30% female participation, and provide emergency income support for vulnerable populations through employment programmes. Village Development Committees will be established to strengthen local capacities and enhance employability, with both contractors and committee members receiving technical skills training.

Project symbol

MMR/25/01/RBS

Admin unit

ILO-Yangon

Start date

01/08/2025

End date

31/07/2026

Total allocation

652634

Total expenditure

Status

Closed

588140

Development Partners

Core voluntary funds (RBSA)

Country/Countries

Myanmar

Outcomes

Output 9.5. Improved coherence in support and action to promote inclusive, peaceful, stable and resilient societies through decent work and social justice in contexts of crisis, post-crisis and fragility
Outcome 3: Full and productive employment for just transitions