Myanmar

A devastating earthquake on 28 March 2025 destroyed lives and livelihoods in Myanmar. One year later, survivors at Inle Lake speak about loss, solidarity – and the long road back to a normal life.

In spring 2025, an earthquake destroyed large parts of Myanmar. This severely affected the rural population, which was already suffering from hunger and poverty. SWISSAID supports their efforts to get back on their feet.

After the devastating earthquake in Myanmar, many people are in great need. We are on the ground helping affected families with urgently needed relief supplies.

Despite the tense situation that Myanmar has been experiencing for the past few years, SWISSAID continues its development projects in agroecology and women’s empowerment. With the same objective of providing assistance to the populations in greatest need, Daniele Polini, the program manager in Myanmar, explains the current state of the country and reports on the progress of the projects.

The lack of agricultural knowledge, access to credit, and the ever-increasing cost of living keep rural families in southern Shan State, Myanmar, trapped in poverty. With the rise of violent conflicts and the effects of climate change, many people are forced to migrate. SWISSAID has initiated a project to enhance the value of crops through agroecology, enabling farmers to envision a dignified future.

In Myanmar today, many women farmers are also taking part confidently in discussions with groups of men. They have been on courses where they expanded their knowledge of agroecological cultivation methods and built up their self-confidence.