Emergency employment to support early recovery in earthquake-affected areas in Myanmar through employment-intensive approaches

This ILO/Japan Social Safety Net (SSN) funded initiative is designed to support communities in Myanmar’s Shan State and Mandalay Region affected by the March 2025 earthquake, which impacted over 17 million individuals and resulted in damages exceeding US$10.97 billion. The intervention primarily creates employment opportunities, restores essential infrastructure, and provides skills training to foster recovery and resilience. Priority is accorded to women, youth, and low-income households. The objectives of the initiative include the restoratiThis ILO/Japan Social Safety Net (SSN) funded initiative is designed to support communities in Myanmar’s Shan State and Mandalay Region affected by the March 2025 earthquake, which impacted over 17 million individuals and resulted in damages exceeding US$10.97 billion. The intervention primarily creates employment opportunities, restores essential infrastructure, and provides skills training to foster recovery and resilience. Priority is accorded to women, youth, and low-income households. The objectives of the initiative include the restoration of critical rural infrastructure and the provision of immediate income through employment-intensive activities that address the urgent early recovery needs of earthquake-affected populations. The principal activities of this project are conducted in synergy with the Office’s internal projects. Key activities encompass the rehabilitation and reconstruction of infrastructure and WASH (Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene) facilities, in addition to vocational training for vulnerable groups, particularly those impacted by earthquake, armed conflict and the ongoing economic crisis since the 2021 coup. By adopting a comprehensive approach, the initiative generates over 2,300 days of decent work, with a minimum of 30% female participation, and affords emergency income support to vulnerable groups through emergency employment programs. Village Development Committees (VDCs) are established to strengthen local capacities, and Village Infrastructure Operation and Maintenance Committees (VIOMCs) are formed to ensure sustainable use and local stewardship of rehabilitated assets for earthquake resilience. The initiative is closely aligned with Sustainable Development Goals 1, 8, 9 and 11.

Project symbol

MMR/25/50/JPN

Admin unit

ILO-Yangon

Start date

15/09/2025

End date

31/03/2026

Total allocation

144534

Total expenditure

Status

Closed

144534

Development Partners

Japan, Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare

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