More than 70.8 million people worldwide have been forcibly displaced. Learn the countries where most refugees come from, why refugees flee, and how you can help address the plight of refugees, especially children.
Why World Vision is in Myanmar
In Myanmar, conflicts continue between the government and multiple ethnic factions in northern states. Fighting between Rohingya militants, the Arakan Army, and the government in the northwestern part of the country has traumatized and displaced many families. The International Court of Justice has ordered Myanmar to take steps to protect Rohingya Muslim civilians from reprisals, and to preserve evidence of possible genocide against them. Some positive legislation changes have been made as well: The age of adulthood was raised to 18, as was the minimum age for marriage. Additionally, Parlaiment is debating a bill to protect women from violence. Generosity from donors provides food for families displaced by conflict. People in areas hit hardest by the fighting are being equipped to rehabilitate their war-ravaged communities. In partnership with other rights groups, the “It Takes Myanmar to End Physical Violence Against Children” campaign raised awareness through public events and social media messaging. These efforts culminated in the new Child Rights Law that protects children from corporal punishment and addresses the conscription of child soldiers.
We never give up on people
World Vision child sponsorship looks at all the things that prevent children from surviving and thriving in their community, and then works with that community to bring all the pieces of the puzzle together to build a better life for all children. For sponsors, it’s a personal way to show God’s love to a child in need in a life-changing way.
Sponsor a child in Myanmar ❯
Progress in Myanmar
Thanks to the generous support of donors, we’re making great progress toward the well-being of children and their families.
Child Protection and Care
Boys and girls are safe and valued, well cared for by their families, and participating in their communities as agents of transformation.
- More children know about their rights and how to protect themselves. Through campaigns to end violence and abuse of children and trainings on child rights, children, parents, and community leaders learned how to identify and report cases of abuse or violence, and how to help other children who may be in danger.
Healthy Children and Families
Children and families are well nourished, protected from infection and disease, and have access to essential health services.
- To help improve child nutrition, World Vision trained caregivers in good nutritional practices, including how to prepare healthy meals using local ingredients. Growth monitoring sessions also identified malnourished children so they could receive care and support to recover.
- More child have access to safe drinking water after World Vision constructed new water sources and installed pipelines. Clean water is also more accessible to students after water purifiers were installed in their schools. Students no longer miss classes to collect drinking water.
Education for Better Lives
Children have opportunities to learn and to develop their talents, young people are equipped for the future, and families and communities support children's education.
- More children are accessing quality pre-school education. World Vision supported early child development centers that prepare young children for formal schooling by enhancing their social and motor skills. Some schools also provide free milk to encourage school attendance and ensure that children have the energy to participate while at school.
- To make education accessible to more children in need, World Vision provided schools with desks and chairs, and built or remodeled at least 5 primary schools.
Prayer Requests from Myanmar
World Vision's staff in Myanmar are asking us to join them in prayer for the following:
For the protection of vulnerable children and families in conflict zones in Kachin, Shan, and Rakhine.
For the enactment of the Child Rights Law and Myanmar Child Protection Policy.
For free and fair general elections in 2020, and the preservation of Myanmar’s fragile democracy.
News from Myanmar
From the Field
What is a refugee? Facts, FAQs, and how to help
There are more refugees in the world than ever before, and their needs have never been greater, not only for the basic necessities of life, but for hope and opportunities to be self-sufficient. Find out more about the global refugee crisis.
From the Field
Rohingya refugee crisis: Facts, FAQs, and how to help
Since Aug. 25, 2017, over 700,000 Rohingya refugees have fled to Bangladesh from Myanmar. Impoverished and living in refugee camps, they depend on aid.
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