Myanmar
Myanmar has been plunged into a deep political, social, economic and humanitarian crisis ever since the military coup in 2021. The Swiss cooperation programme in Myanmar 2024-2027 combines instruments of development cooperation, humanitarian aid, peacebuilding and human rights diplomacy to address the complex crisis and the country's needs.
Context Myanmar
After a decade of political and economic opening, the military coup in 2021 plunged Myanmar into a deep political, social, economic and humanitarian crisis. In many parts of the country, armed resistance groups are engaged in an asymmetrical confrontation with the military. The escalating violence has aggravated existing conflicts, and the consequences have been devastating for the civilian population. Despite the military coup in 2021, Switzerland continues to work towards a peaceful, democratic, inclusive and aspiring society in Myanmar. Switzerland has adapted its approach and partnerships and is coordinating with like-minded countries and the United Nations (UN) to ensure that the military government does not receive any technical or financial assistance. Swiss cooperation in Myanmar is directed at the basic needs of the population in three areas of intervention.
Peacebuilding and protection
Switzerland maintains a dialogue with all parties to the conflict (the National Unity Government, military regime, ethnic armed groups and other actors) to support their efforts at evolving home-grown processes and pathways to a non-violent and inclusive solution.
At the same time, Switzerland is also committed to upholding respect for international humanitarian law and international human rights laws, unhindered humanitarian access in conflict regions and protection of the civilian population. Switzerland’s role has been recognised and appreciated by all key actors and the international community.
Food security and livelihoods
Switzerland supports agricultural production, social safeguards and emergency assistance programmes. It promotes vocational training and micro, small and medium-sized enterprises so that young people can gain employable skills and improve their incomes. Switzerland is also working to strengthen agricultural value chains with regard to climate action and adaptation to climate change.
Governance and basic services
Switzerland is assisting local service providers and local government systems in ethnic areas becoming more sustainable and accountable. It is focusing on improving access to equitable and inclusive basic services (especially health and education) as well as protecting civil society spaces.
Approach and main partners
The Swiss cooperation programme in Myanmar 2024-2027 combines instruments of development cooperation, humanitarian aid, peacebuilding and human rights diplomacy to address the complex crisis and the country’s needs. The SDC is implementing bilateral and multilateral projects in Myanmar, including a direct action. The Peace and Human Rights Division (PHRD) of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA) is supporting conflict transformation, violence reduction and peace mediation. This portfolio is supplemented by regional projects, which are largely implemented by the thematic sections of the State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO) and the SDC.
Switzerland’s main partners in Myanmar are:
- Various UN organisations: the World Food Programme (WFP), the United National Development Programme (UNDP), the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UNOCHA);
- The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC);
- Swiss, local and international non-governmental organisations (NGOs);
- Civil society organisations;
- Ethnic organisations;
- Private sector.
Link
- Bilateral relations Switzerland-Myanmar
- Joint statement on the situation in Myanmar (February 2023 and 2024)
- UN Security Council Resolution 2669 on the situation in Myanmar (December 2022)
- Project database
Documents
Swiss cooperation programme Myanmar 2024–2027
Following a decade of political and economic opening, the military coup in 2021 has plunged Myanmar into a deep political, social, economic, and humanitarian crisis. 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.
Map Swiss cooperation programme fin Myanmar 2024–2027
Stories
Staying alert, being innovative and finding solutions in post-coup Myanmar
Lucas Riegger works for the SDC in Myanmar. He describes his everyday life.
Myanmar a year on: Switzerland remains proactive
One year after the coup in Myanmar, Switzerland remains proactive. Two SDC experts, Thin Myat Khine and Giacomo Solari, report from Yangon.
Contact
Eichenweg 5
3003 Bern