LIFT's COVID-19 RESPONSE - Livelihoods ...
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LIFT's
COVID-19
RESPONSE
ONE YEAR OF LIFT'S COVID-19
RESPONSE; STORIES THAT
INSPIRE HOPE
How Better Loans Help Myanmar’s
Entrepreneurial Farmers Branch Out p. 42
Zin Zin Htut turns pandemic challenges into
business opportunities p. 34
LIFT beats the odds with cash assistance p. 63
1
ONE YEAR OF LIFT’S COVID-19 RESPONSE, STORIES THAT INSPIRE HOPE
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
One Year
LIFT's
ofCOVID-19
LIFT’s
We thank the governments of Australia, Canada,
the European Union, Ireland, New Zealand, Norway,
Switzerland, the United Kingdom, and the United States
of America for their kind contributions to improving
the livelihoods and food security of rural poor people
in Myanmar. Their support to the Livelihoods and Food
Security Fund (LIFT) is gratefully acknowledged.
RESPONSE
COVID-19
We thank our partners for sharing the photography and
story inputs for this report.
Response;
ONE YEAR OF LIFT'S COVID-19
RESPONSE; STORIES THAT
INSPIRE HOPE
Stories
That Inspire
Hope 12-MONTH REPORT MARCH 2020 – MARCH 2021
2 3
ONE YEAR OF LIFT’S COVID-19 RESPONSE, STORIES THAT INSPIRE HOPE
CONTENTS
01 Introduction
03 Results: Key Highlights
05 LIFT's COVID-19 Timeline
09 Thematic response
11 Civil Society
17 Nutrition
29 Decent Work and Labour Mobility
39 Financial Inclusion
49 Agriculture
61 Social Protection
73 Conflict-affected Areas
4 5
One Year
ONE YEAR OF LIFT’S COVID-19 RESPONSE, STORIES THAT INSPIRE HOPE
One Year of
of LIFT’s LIFT’s COVID-19
COVID-19 Response;
Stories That
Response; Inspire Hope
Stories
That Inspire
Hope
6 7
ONE YEAR OF LIFT’S COVID-19 RESPONSE, STORIES THAT INSPIRE HOPE
INTRODUCTION
From March 2020, through an stories of resilience, commitment,
unprecedented year with devastating service, ingenuity, and creativity.
impacts across all sectors caused Commemorating our partners’
by COVID-19, the Livelihoods and allegiance to deliver life-saving
Food Security Fund (LIFT) supported and essential services to the most
2.9 million of the most vulnerable vulnerable populations in the most
This story report and food insecure women and
men, boys and girls in 2,000 village
food-insecure and hard-to-reach
locations, LIFT brings to the forefront
reflects on 12 months in 72 townships in 12 states and
regions of Myanmar - without a
their stories, stories that inspire
hope for sustainable, resilient,
of a COVID-19 response break in operations. Under its
2019-2023 Strategy, LIFT continued
inclusive recovery and development.
The following stories are not about
through the experiences
to focus on increasing income, multimillion-dollar projects, but they
improving nutrition, and reducing are the tales of everyday dedication,
vulnerability of poor and vulnerable entrepreneurship and innovation -
of our beneficiaries and groups in Myanmar. In response
to the outbreak of COVID-19, LIFT
happening on a small scale with high
impact.
partners. quickly adapted and responded to
the pandemic to support the early This story report reflects on 12
recovery of vulnerable populations. months of a COVID-19 response
through the experiences of our
The past year has been beneficiaries and partners.
tremendously challenging, yet
there have been remarkable
1 2
RESULTS:
KEY HIGHLIGHTS
ONE YEAR OF LIFT’S COVID-19 RESPONSE, STORIES THAT INSPIRE HOPE
At the onset of COVID-19, LIFT LIFT supported expanding transfer programme was developed
responded quickly and pivoted the national social protection to provide MMK 65,000 (USD 47)
existing resources to deliver initatives by financing the one-time payment per household
immediate preparedness and emergency top-up cash transfers for about 65,000 households in
prevention activities supporting to 238,410 mothers and nearly Rakhine, Chin, Kayin, Kachin and
the most vulnerable. Within days 200,000 people aged over 85 years, northern Shan State to help people
after the first COVID-19 case was empowering people with a choice living in camps cope with COVID-19-
detected in Myanmar, more than to address their essential needs related shocks. In 2020, distribution
30 of LIFT’s partners had pivoted according to their priorities while was completed in non-government
and repurposed US$2.3 million of also stimulating local economies. controlled areas of Kachin and
their existing project budgets to When all household members northern Shan states while other
respond to COVID-19. In 2020, LIFT are included, approximately 1.8 target areas will be covered in 2021.
committed a total of US$28.9 million million people benefitted from the
for an immediate frontline response, cash transfers. LIFT-supported LIFT mobilized US$5.5 million
a medium-term response in areas cash transfers were also provided that leveraged loans totalling to
of high need, and a longer-term to unemployed factory workers, US$67.13 million as international
response to the socio-economic informal sector workers, people capital investment in the
impacts of the virus. with disabilities and people living microfinance sector as an early
with HIV to help them cover their response to mitigate the pandemic’s
Civil society organizations immediate needs, proving to be impact on the sector.
were key to LIFT’s response to a strong social safety nets tool in
COVID-19 and their reach was emergencies. Additionally, LIFT’s Working closely with others,
extraordinary: 260 local or national microfinance partners supported the LIFT increased the availability of
organizations, which constituted 91 Department of Social Welfare’s one- data and insights into the impact
per cent of all LIFT’s partners and off cash transfers through the Ngwe of COVID-19 on people in the rural
sub-partners, supported over 64 per Bike programme in nine states as economy and agricultural sector to
cent of the 2.9 million who benefited part of the government's COVID-19 inform the national and partners’
from LIFT’s response. Economic Relief Plan (CERP). response policies and interventions.
LIFT also developed a public works
LIFT provided the largest In conflict-affected areas, cash-based programme with the
programmatic response to the where vulnerable populations Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and
COVID-19 crisis for migrants in including internally displaced Irrigation to support employment
Myanmar, engaging ten partners communities faced increased opportunities for vulnerable rural
in crucial humanitarian assistance, risks of exposure to the COVID-19 communities as a mitigation and
information and livelihood support. due to overcrowded shelters and recovery measure to the impact of
LIFT-supported interventions across limited hygiene facilities in camps COVID-19.
states and regions reached 1.4 and temporary shelters, movement
million internal and international restrictions, lack of livelihoods, LIFT’s response contributes to
migrants (60 per cent women) malnutrition and limited access to several of the national COVID-19
with the provision of information, essential services, LIFT and partners Economic Relief Plan’s goals,
personal protective equipment, food stepped up to provide protection including easing the impact of
assistance, cash transfers, shelter, equipment, awareness raising, COVID-19 on the private sector,
transportation, legal assistance and counseling, food and cash assistance labourers, workers and households
psychosocial counselling. as well as scaling up WASH activities and promoting innovative products
and supporting the response of and strengthening Myanmar’s
national actors, including ethnic healthcare system.
services providers. In addition, a cash
3 4
ONE YEAR OF LIFT’S COVID-19 RESPONSE, STORIES THAT INSPIRE HOPE
LIFT'S COVID-19
RESPONSE TIMELINE
2020 2021
March April May June July August September October November December February March
17 March: UNOPS Myanmar LIFT and its LIFT launches LIFT’s migration LIFT and the LIFT’s COVID-19 LIFT’s US$2 LIFT launched LIFT and MFIs LIFT explores LIFT continues
Fund Board adopts its COVID-19 implementing US$3.2 million support reaches Ministry of response reaches million small a series of discuss the options for cash to provide
meeting provides strategy. partners initiate to support 1 million people. Agriculture, 2.8 million people, grants fund Community options for transfers to lifesaving and
steer for LIFT the largest internally Livestock and including camps for supported civil of Practice continued ‘safety 55,000 internally essential services
actions in response programmatic displaced Irrigation design internally displaced society workshops to net’ financial displaced across the country
to COVID-19 response to the people affected a cash-for-work people across the organizations in discuss adaptive services to clients households in as part of its
COVID-19 crisis by COVID-19. pilot programme country. Rakhine to management during the Kachin, northern COVID-19
6 April: LIFT Norway joins
for internal and to support rural deliver the practices and COVID-19 Shan, Kayin, response, filling
announced LIFT donors in
international agricultural COVID-19 strategies during restrictions. Rakhine and critical gaps in our
20 March: LIFT support for funding COVID-19
migrants in communities response the COVID-19 Chin. geographic areas
invites partners Myanmar’s civil response
Myanmar. affected by across the state. pandemic. of focus and areas
to propose society COVID-19 LIFT mobilized
COVID-19. of need in the
adjustments preparedness national support
context of the
within existing to align the LIFT announced
military coup.
projects and Multi-sectoral a US$11.5 million
budgets to LIFT mobilized National Plan of The Grand call for concept
respond to US$5.5 million Action on Nutrition Bargain notes to
COVID-19 9 April: LIFT’s to mitigate the LIFT’s MFIs partners (MS-NPAN) to the strengthen the
showcased
additional funding pandemic’s roll out support to COVID-19 Economic resilience and
LIFT as a good
for Myanmar’s impact on the the Department of Relief Plan (CERP) sustainable
practice in
COVID-19 microfinance Social Welfare to for more focused livelihoods of
promoting
preparedness sector in Myanmar, reach over 34,600 COVID-19 response. vulnerable groups
25 March: 30 LIFT localization
and response leveraging US$67.13 pregnant women in Rakhine
partners pivot and during the
reaches million in and women with including to the
repurpose US$2.3 COVID-19
US$16 million. international young children COVID-19 and
million to respond. response
capital investment. with one-off cash other shocks.
within
transfers in nine
the Grand
states through the
Bargain
Ngwe Bike
commitments.
31 March: LIFT Fund programme.
LIFT and the
Board approves LIFT launched
Department of
additional funding cash payments to
Social Welfare roll
for civil society, social 65,000 internally
out US$9 million in
protection, migration, displaced
COVID-19 cash
Rakhine, and households in
transfers to
communication Rakhine, Kachin,
pregnant women,
women with children northern Shan,
under two years and Kayin and Chin
elderly people with first
over 85. distributions in
Kachin and
northern Shan
states.
5 6
SUMMARY
ONE YEAR OF LIFT’S COVID-19 RESPONSE, STORIES THAT INSPIRE HOPE
OF LIFT'S
COVID-19
Civil Society - As the backbone
of LIFT’s response, $5.3m to 260
CSOs helped 1.8 million people with
cash assistance, skills development,
$5.3m to 260 CSOs to psychosocial support, legal
help 1.8 million people counseling, COVID-19 awareness
RESPONSE
raising, PPE distribution and support
to IDPs.
Social Protection - $12.5m was
allocated for cash transfers to
mothers, pregnant women, elderly,
ACTIVITIES
$12.5m for cash transfers internally displaced people, garment
workers, people with disabilities.
Migration - LIFT’s $3.1m was the
largest migrant response, supporting
1.4 million people with information,
PPE, food assistance, cash
$3.1m was the largest transfers, shelter, transportation,
migrant response legal assistance and psychosocial
US$28.9 million counselling.
Agriculture - A $950,000 cash-for-
to support 2.9 million work programme was designed for
agricultural communities, alongside
people in 72 townships analysis of the COVID-19 impact on
rural economy.
$950,000 cash-for-work
and 2,000 villages in programme
12 states/regions Financial Inclusion - $5.5m was
invested in the microfinance sector,
and leveraged $67.13 million in
international capital investment to
$5.5m was invested in mitigate COVID-19’s impact on the
microfinance sector financial sector.
7 8
THEMATIC
ONE YEAR OF LIFT’S COVID-19 RESPONSE, STORIES THAT INSPIRE HOPE
RESPONSE
Civil Society
Nutrition
Decent Work and Labour Mobility
Financial Inclusion
Agriculture
Social Protection
Conflict-affected Areas
9 10
ONE YEAR OF LIFT’S COVID-19 RESPONSE, STORIES THAT INSPIRE HOPE
CIVIL SOCIETY
Local civil society organizations were key to LIFT’s COVID-19 response; Through local civil society partners, open fishing ground loans.
their reach was extraordinary due to close engagement with communities, LIFT’s COVID-19 response included, • Support to quarantine facilities
their physical presence on the ground, their trusting relationships with inter alia: and health centres - LIFT’s
local stakeholders and their commitment and capacities to act quickly and civil society partners supported
efficiently. • COVID-19 awareness raising government agencies and ethnic
Through a network of local organizations to expand and
LIFT’s local civil society partners reached 64 per cent of the total 2.9 million actors, LIFT’s strategic partners manage quarantine facilities by
beneficiaries during the COVID-19 emergency response. LIFT’s strategic supported COVID-19 awareness providing personal protective
partners - Karuna Mission Social Solidarity (KMSS), Gender Equality Network raising activities in 861 villages equipment, handwashing
(GEN), Land Core Group (LCG), Network Activities Group (NAG) and Metta - in 48 townships of six states facilities, personal hygiene kits,
reached over half of these people with an emergency COVID-19 response. and regions: Bago, Magway, beds, toiletries and bathroom
With LIFT’s emergency response funding, 260 civil society organisations, Mon, Kayin, Ayeyarwady, and accessories, wheelchairs,
91 per cent of all response actors, from across the country stepped up Sagaing. These awareness raising educational and communication
to provide the life-saving and essential assistance during the COVID-19 activities had a great impact, materials about COVID-19
pandemic. These organisations shared 20 per cent (USD 5.27 million) of as communities adjusted their prevention as well as food
the total USD 25.5 million that LIFT committed to a COVID-19 response. An behaviours to comply with assistance. In total, LIFT’s partners
additional USD 1.5 million was allocated for LIFT strategic partners’ COVID-19 COVID-19 safe practices. supported over 218 quarantine
response. • Cash grant support - Through centres while also providing
their networks on the ground, assistance to health centres,
Across Myanmar and often in remote and hard-to-reach areas, LIFT civil LIFT’s partners collectively camps for internally displaced
society partners implemented complex COVID-19 prevention and protection provided cash support to over people, COVID-19 response
activities including awareness raising and training, distribution of preventive 2,240 internally displaced committees, orphanages and
items, nutrition support, cash and social support assistance. households in conflict-affected aging centres across the country.
areas to reduce the economic • Studies on COVID-19 and
burden of the COVID-19 its economic impact - LIFT’s
pandemic. partners ensured the availability
• Financial services - LIFT’s civil of data and insights into the
society partners collaborated with economic impact on the rural
ARFN, FDAs and the Myanmar economy and on small-to-medium
Economic Bank (MEB) to launch size businesses, to inform the
microfinance loans targeting response policies, strategies and
small-scale fish farmers in the interventions in line with the
Ayeyarwady Region. Three loan COVID-19 Economic Relief Plan
types were devised to support (CERP).
fishers with their operations:
leasehold loans, tender loans and
11 12ONE YEAR OF LIFT’S COVID-19 RESPONSE, STORIES THAT INSPIRE HOPE
FALAM CIVIL SOCIETY NETWORK
SUPPORTED COVID-19 AWARENESS
RAISING IN REMOTE ETHNIC
COMMUNITIES
When the first COVID-19 case was FCSN also produced a series of
confirmed in Tedim Township, informational videos and audio clips.
Falam District, Chin state, one of the In close cooperation with the Falam
poorest regions of the country, the COVID-19 Prevention Committee,
community lacked awareness of the General Administration Department,
virus and protection measures. Health Department, COVID-19 Falam
Volunteer group, Falam Community
“We were shocked about the Media, and World Vision these
COVID-19 outbreak and the fact it information materials have been
was found in our community. We distributed in 182 villages and 7
were all panicking and rushed to wards of Tedim Town. Additionally,
stock food,” mentioned one of the Falam FM Community Radio was
community members. intensively broadcasting audio
messages while Falam Community
When the ethnic-language Media shared the informational
newspapers stopped reaching their videos through its channels.
communities due to the COVID-19
restrictions, ethnic minorities were As a result, local communities
We were shocked about the left with very limited information and improved their COVID-19 knowledge
health guidelines. and hygiene skills and they
COVID-19 outbreak and the fact it practiced hand washing, social
was found in our community. We In order to address the needs of distancing and other COVID-19
ethnic communities in reliable health restriction measures, indicating that
were all panicking and rushed to information, Falam Civil Society coordination of efforts by civil society
Network (FCSN) obtained permission organizations and Government was
stock food from the Health Department in a key success factor in the pandemic
Falam to produce informational response.
— Community members
pamphlets and posters for wider
distribution to ethnic groups in Chin. “Engagement of all stakeholders
is critical to ensure the efficient
With support from the Falam and effective crisis response. The
Literature and Culture Organization government has recognized the
and Falam Health Department, FCSN role of CSOs and community-based
produced 15,000 pamphlets and a media in community mobilization
series of 50 posters for COVID-19 and information sharing as well as
awareness. Working closely with in contributing to the public good,”
the Falam Community Media, remarked FCSN.
13 14ONE YEAR OF LIFT’S COVID-19 RESPONSE, STORIES THAT INSPIRE HOPE
GRASSROOTS EMPOWERMENT
AND ECOSYSTEM NURTURING SET
UP HAND-WASHING STATIONS TO
CONTAIN THE CORONAVIRUS
Amidst the wide-spread panic over essentials, hygiene tools, etc.
the outbreak of the COVID-19 in Chin GREEN supported by distributing
State, the Grassroot Empowerment antibacterial soap and installing
and Ecosystem Nurturing (GREEN) hand-washing basins in rural health
organization stepped up to support centers.
the government authorities with
virus awareness building in remote GREEN also mobilized resources to
rural areas. provide meals and essential services
to returning migrants and patients
Aiming to prevent the spread of of the Hakha Quarantine Center and
fake news and promote COVID-19 Falam Quarantine Centre.
containment measures in hard-to-
reach rural communities, GREEN “Our activities triggered productive
in close collaboration with the discussions with communities,
State Health Department and village administrators, international
BDDO initiated the distribution of organizations and NGOs on how to
information materials in 65 villages ensure all-stakeholder partnerships
of Hakha township. to deliver emergency response and
The distribution of informational support the rural livelihoods in the
materials was supplemented with face of health crisis,” remarked a
Our activities triggered productive training on improved hygiene and GREEN member.
prevention practices like hand
discussions with communities, village washing, social distancing, applying
administrators, international organizations sanitizer and mask wearing to
ensure self-protection from the
and NGOs on how to ensure all-stakeholder COVID-19.
partnerships to deliver emergency response Recognizing the GREEN success
and support the rural livelihoods in the face in raising COVID-19 awareness
in remote communities, the
of health crisis government requested them to
extend support and provide food
— GREEN member assistance, personal protection
15 16ONE YEAR OF LIFT’S COVID-19 RESPONSE, STORIES THAT INSPIRE HOPE
NUTRITION
LIFT’s nutrition response to the COVID-19 outbreak in Myanmar included food price monitoring. Applying
support to partners to adapt nutrition-specific interventions to respond to LIFT-supported responses to a nutrition lens in the design,
urgent nutrition needs and the immediate causes of malnutrition, including COVID-19 that contributed to the targeting and measurement was
insufficient dietary intake and poor health. Simultaneously, LIFT supported multiple pathways to improved particularly crucial to achieving
the scale-up and delivery of nutrition-sensitive interventions to address nutrition included: an impact on nutrition, given
the underlying causes of malnutrition, which were significantly impacted the potential food system
by COVID-19 measures. LIFT continued to promote and support a holistic, • Increased access to resources vulnerabilities exposed by the
multisectoral, systems-strengthening approach which was critical to building through social protection COVID-19 pandemic.
the resilience of individuals and communities to the impact of the COVID-19 mechanisms. The national • Ramping up food safety and
shocks. maternal and child cash transfer health protocols in markets.
(MCCT) and social pension LIFT’s implementing partners
scheme, two responsive safety supported market-level food
net programmes to support safety and COVID-19 protection
nutritionally-vulnerable individuals, measures at markets to
were expanded. An additional protect populations from food
one-time payment of MMK 30,000 contamination and illness.
(USD 22) was funded by LIFT and • Continuation of essential
delivered by the Department health and nutrition services.
of Social Welfare (DSW) to all Communities were supported to
beneficiaries of the MCCT and adapt and continue the provision
social pension programmes, in of health and nutrition services,
addition to their regular transfers. especially to the most vulnerable
LIFT allocated USD 9 million to and hard-to-reach groups. These
reach 238,410 pregnant women efforts included strengthening
and mothers of children under two community components of the
and 197,508 people 85 years of integrated management of acute
age and older. malnutrition.
• Supporting nutrition-sensitive • Scaling up water, sanitation
food systems. LIFT leveraged and hygiene activities. The
agriculture and food system WASH component of LIFT-funded
interventions through increased nutrition projects was scaled
production of diverse foods, up considerably, with improved
including homestead food WASH activities adapted to include
production, as well as market and infection prevention and control.
17 18FIGHTING MALNUTRITION IN THE
ONE YEAR OF LIFT’S COVID-19 RESPONSE, STORIES THAT INSPIRE HOPE
POOR RURAL COMMUNITIES OF
NORTHERN KAYIN STATE IN THE
TIMES OF CORONAVIRUS
A 49-year old mother of three, Naw in the village were taught to regularly
Mar Wi lives in a crowded Taw Pyar check their children's weight to see
Ka Lay village and grows cardamon, if their child was developing each
coffee, dog fruit, betel nut and month. The villagers also liked to
turmeric for her living. Naw Mar Wi apply the systematic hand-washing
is happy with her business as her techniques and became accustomed
village’s close proximity to Thand- to washing their hands thoroughly
aunggyi town enables good trade before eating.
and steady income. However, all the
business benefits were offset by the “We now soak the vegetables we
lack of healthcare facilities in the bought from the market in salted
village and diarrhoea, vomiting and water and wash them before eating
malaria were a frequent and com- and we observed the decrease in
mon condition for many women and sickness in our children!” said Naw
children in the village. Mar Wi.
“Most women in our village were “The villagers have some health
influenced by traditional practices knowledge but we were weak in
such as fasting during pregnancy practice, the BMB training enabled
and choosing to feed the baby with a change in our practices as our
rice. Many women and children were health knowledge such as proper
suffering weak immune systems and nutrition and hygiene has improved”,
relied on peer advice in the absence continued Naw Mar Wi. “Habits such
Habits such as fasting and of regular check-ups by health work-
ers”, recalled Naw Mar Wi.
as fasting and avoiding foods (vege-
tables) because they think they were
avoiding foods (vegetables) The COVID-19 outbreak has exac-
bad during pregnancy and childbirth
are no longer practiced”.
because they think they erbated the situation as fear of the
pandemic has kept mothers and The project also provided latrine
were bad during pregnancy
children at home — and away from pans and pipes, water filters, tippy
visiting the health centres. So, when taps, other essentials, awareness
the LIFT-supported Bwe Moh Bwa and engineering support to build
and childbirth are no longer (BMB) arrived in the village to offer
maternal and child nutrition activ-
fly-proof latrines in the village. Build-
ing fly-proof latrines combined with
practiced. ities, the residents welcomed the
initiative and many women actively
improved hand-washing practices
resulted in significant decrease in
— Daw Naw Mar Wi participated in mother-to-mother diarrhoea in the village.
groups and nutrition training provid-
ed by the BMB project. “We established a special committee
under the supervision of the village
The BMB support included counsel- leaders to monitor the further im-
ing on healthier nutrition, feeding provements. Special thanks to LIFT
practices such as feeding children and donors who came to support
a balanced diet consisting of three our village. We are welcoming any
food groups and hygiene. Mothers future projects” said Naw Mar Wi.
19 20ONE YEAR OF LIFT’S COVID-19 RESPONSE, STORIES THAT INSPIRE HOPE
FEEDING A FUTURE
WITH VEGETABLES communities like Naw Jenny's to Naw Jenny and other villages
expand their gardening activities with received agricultural inputs such as
How LIFT helps rural communities to improve their nutrition with
professional coaching throughout green pipes, plastic covers, cans, and
a mix of knowledge and innovations
the agricultural season. a variety of vegetable and fruit seeds.
They also received vermi worms
Growing vegetables to secure her family’s future is the new ethos of 51-
“This project was all about and vermi tanks to produce organic
year old Naw Jenny from the Pin Thi Lar village in Leiktho sub-township in
opportunities. Being in my 50s now, fertilizers for their gardens.
Thandaunggyi. As Naw Jenny’s home garden now produces a good variety of
I’ve seen a lot, but I have never
long beans, mustard, pumpkin, papaya, durian, and mangosteen, she feels
succeeded growing vegetables in “It was the first time we learned
confident in the future of her family of five.
home gardens,” said Naw Jenny. about this! It was very useful and
“Now we are making every inch of effective for our gardens; I was so
The Burden of Traditional Farming…
land work for us.” happy that I have improved my
Naw Jenny has been following the traditions of cultivating fruits and
gardening skills!” recalled Naw Jenny.
vegetables, which have been passed on from generation to generation, and
As an additional component, the
increasingly felt the burden of outdated growing techniques as yields were
project offered Naw Jenny and other
often low. Naw Jenny’s village is located far from markets, so her family was
villagers a nutrition training to boost
buying vegetables from the mobile sellers.
their awareness of healthy nutrition
and promote diverse diets with fresh
“There was little choice and the prices were high,” recalled Naw Jenny. “Even
produce.
though we have enough space in our compound, we didn’t do much home
gardening as we were not aware of how to maintain the garden”.
“We learned that nutritious food is
very important for our children and
… and Joy of Innovations
their development. Now we can grow
Naw Jenny was among the first participants of a series of training on
those foods in our own garden and
nutrition, home gardening and financial literacy conducted by KKBA,
cook them for children” said Naw
WCM and CDN through LIFT’s funding. The project supported poor rural
Jenny.
communities through knowledge and skills training, agricultural inputs
such as seeds, fertilizers and equipment. The project has even enabled
Even though we have enough space in
our compound, we didn’t do much of
home gardening as we were not aware
of how to maintain the garden
— Naw Jenny
21 22ONE YEAR OF LIFT’S COVID-19 RESPONSE, STORIES THAT INSPIRE HOPE
A Simple Formula of a Great nutrition-rich foods and ensure the
Success children have a more diverse and
Naw Jenny has quickly seen the nutritious diet” said Naw Jenny.
benefits of her home gardening as It is the first step towards a more
she was able to sell her first harvest sustainable future for Naw Jenny’s
surplus, on top of diversifying her family. The positive impact the
family’s daily diet with fresh produce. project has so far had on her life
Inspired by her success, other is quite apparent; better nutrition
villagers followed Naw Jenny to and more sustainable agricultural
establish a home gardening group to activities.
share experiences and support each
other with the agricultural work. “The project made me very happy!
While a direct bonus for smallholder I will continue growing vegetables
farmers like Naw Jenny was the and fruits after the project ends, and
harvest surplus that generated much I think other members will do the
needed income for their families, same. On behalf of the members
another critical outcome was and our villagers, a heartfelt thanks
It was the first time we learned improving their daily rations. to the donor and the project staff for
their great support” concluded Naw
about this! It was very useful
“Increased yields of vegetables and Jenny.
fruits have enabled us to eat more
and effective for our gardens;
I was so happy that I have
improved my gardening skills!
— Naw Jenny
23 24ONE YEAR OF LIFT’S COVID-19 RESPONSE, STORIES THAT INSPIRE HOPE
PUTTING TRAINING INTO infants under six months with honey,
glucose, water and other foods,”
PRACTICE FOR BETTER NUTRITION mentioned Daw Ma Than Nu.
Nutrition education was also
OF CHILDREN IN RAKHINE combined with child care and health
awareness as the project staff
Reciting a ‘handwashing’ poem she learned at the mother and child health encouraged mothers to regularly
training, "Broken Palms, no thumbs left, scratch marks and finish on the bring their children to outreach
wrist", Daw Ma Than Nu thoroughly washes her hand before feeding her clinics where they get vaccinated,
three children. ensuring that children receive
comprehensive protection for a
The leader of a mother-to-mother support group (MtMSG) in a hard-to- healthy growth. The villagers have
access Ma Dae village of Sin Tet Maw Village Tract in Pauktaw township, also requested the Township Health
Rakhine state, Daw Ma Than Nu was skeptical at first about the value of the Department to assign a Basic Health
mother and child health training offered by the LIFT-funded Tat Lan Plus Staff to Ma De village to ensure their
project implemented by Save the Children. She felt that she had nothing new community has an easily accessible
to learn about feeding babies, but decided to enroll into the programme medical counseling and treatment,
after the project team introduced to them the project details, plan, duration, “Every month, the project team including prenatal care for pregnant
activities, and targeted beneficiaries. would visit our village and have a women.
session with mothers and pregnant
“Our village is located far from rural health centers or hospitals and rainy women on a particular topic - one This joint effort is bearing fruit in the
seasons complicate the transportation, so we would often treat our nutrition lesson per month. I learned fight against malnutrition.
children’s health problems at home and don’t rely on healthcare,” recalled about the side effects of bottle- “I see that my child's growth and
Daw Ma Than Nu. “I understood that the project would implement nutrition feeding, benefits of breastfeeding health have improved because I
activities for pregnant women and nursing mothers and provide health and the difference in growth applied the knowledge from the
training, so I thought it could be beneficial to my newborn.” potential between a breastfed and training,” said Daw Ma Than Nu.
a non-breastfed baby,” recalled Daw “Now, I know a lot more compared to
At the time, she was feeding her new infant a mix of breastmilk and other Ma Than Nu. just six months before!”
liquids and foods the way she had with her elder children. Although Daw With the outbreak of the COVID-19
Ma Than Nu was wary of being told what to do by a project team, she was At one of such meetings, Daw Ma and introduction of travel
pleasantly surprised by what she learned. Than Nu was nominated to be restrictions, the training sessions
the leader of a mother-to-mother haven’t stopped as the project
support group (MtMSG) and proudly continued with phone counseling
accepted her new duties of visiting twice a month.
I see that my child's growth and pregnant women and nursing
mothers in her village, who missed “I liked the phone call meetings as
health have improved because I a session, to share new information it didn’t take long and I didn't have
and provide the counseling. to go anywhere to receive new
information,” said Daw Ma Than Nu.
applied the knowledge from the “Our group has eight mothers - six When COVID-19 intensified in
the country, Save the Children
training
from my Ma Dae village and another
two from a neighboring Myin Kyan provided the members of MtMSgs
village. I firmly believe that mothers with COVID-19 information, masks,
— Daw Ma Than Nu improved their knowledge and maternal hygiene kits and child
practices of maternal and child hygiene kits to strengthen the virus
health and nutrition - for instance, prevention.
no one in the village is feeding their
25 26ONE YEAR OF LIFT’S COVID-19 RESPONSE, STORIES THAT INSPIRE HOPE
MOTHER AND CHILD CASH
TRANSFERS HELP IMPROVE
HEALTH AND FUTURE OF
MOTHERS AND CHILDREN
Daw Mya Thazin Mon, 35 years old, “My mother-in-law restricted me on
is a household mother of three nutrition while I was pregnant and
children, two girls of eleven-years I had poor health and nutrition in
and two-years and a two-month old previous pregnancies. I heard about
boy, from Shwepyithar Township, the Maternal Child Cash Transfer
Yangon. Their family has 5 members (MCCT) program of SCI from a local
including her husband who is the volunteer in my ward and received
only bread-winner. 15,000 MMK per month since August
2020 in the 26th week (6 months)
Her husband works as a welder of pregnancy. My first and last child
(part-time) in construction sites were delivered at Health facility and
around Shwepyithar Township. my second at home delivered by
Her husband repairs bicycles and midwife,” said Daw Mya.
motorcycles when he does not
have to weld. Daily income of their Daw Mya had received the MCCT
household is around 5000 to 7000 cash transfer for 5 months up from
MMK (Minimum Wage per day is August to December, 2020, and
4800 MMK). They lived in a slum she used the money for nutrition,
as landless with her parents-in-law vitamins and antenatal healthcare
previously but recently they rented including ultrasound. She took
a hostel room in the target ward of quality antenatal care at midwife for
Shwepyithar Township. her third pregnancy and delivered
her boy at hospital by normal
“I faced many difficulties as I was spontaneous delivery.
pregnant during this COVID-19
pandemic time while my husband “I learned a lot about exclusive
I faced many difficulties as was jobless and could not earn
money. We already had two children
breastfeeding and complementary
feeding. I had successfully delivered
I was pregnant during this to feed, so I could not take much
care about the pregnancy and we
my child at the hospital due to the
MCCT program. I believe my child
had been struggling to provide food will be healthy and clever as I follow
COVID-19 pandemic time while using money from government’s nutritional knowledge.”
support and had to borrow money
my husband was jobless and from relatives. I could not even take
antenatal care for the pregnancy
could not earn money. too.”
— Daw Mya
27 28ONE YEAR OF LIFT’S COVID-19 RESPONSE, STORIES THAT INSPIRE HOPE
DECENT WORK AND
LABOUR MOBILITY
LIFT and its partners worked on the frontlines of the COVID-19 pandemic • Inclusive cash transfers - LIFT- • Migrant Centres - LIFT’s partners
response since it broke out in Myanmar, providing crucial humanitarian supported cash transfers of MMK set up and managed six Migrant
assistance, information and livelihood support to internal and international 240,000 (USD 167) were provided Centers (MCs) in Kawthaung,
migrants. LIFT worked quickly with partners to restructure their programmes to 1,458 unemployed factory Myawaddy, North Dagon, Hlaing
in response to the emerging threat. Existing budgets were reallocated to workers, informal sector workers, Thar Yar, Bago and Tachileik,
provide an immediate response to the crisis and 10 projects developed people with disabilities and people which have been a core element
new project proposals for USD 3.1 million in additional funding to scale-up living with HIV in Yangon to help of LIFT’s COVID-19 response
support for migrants affected by the pandemic. them cover their immediate needs. for migrants, acting as first
Additionally, through its partners, responders at the main border
This adaptive management strategy enabled LIFT and its partners to provide LIFT supported the distribution checkpoints. MCs supported
the largest programmatic response to the COVID-19 crisis for internal of one-off MMK 50,000 (USD 36) tens of thousands of migrants
and international migrants in Myanmar, resulting in 1.4 million direct to 7,655 factory workers (86 per by providing information, masks,
beneficiaries (60 per cent women) provided with support. Interventions were cent women). An additional 500 hand sanitisers, soap, sanitary
implemented across 12 states and regions of Myanmar, including provision vulnerable female sex workers pads, food, water, counselling
of preventative information, personal protective equipment, food assistance, in Yangon received MMK 72,000 and paralegal assistance. When
cash transfers, shelter, transportation, legal assistance and psycho-social (USD 50) in a one-time cash quarantine facilities were set up in
counselling for vulnerable migrants. Radio and social media were leveraged transfer, distributed through a sex communities of origin, MCs further
to disseminate information on COVID-19 prevention and responses to a worker association. expanded their activities to Bago,
much larger audience, directly engaging millions of people across Myanmar • Legal assistance - With the Hpa-An, Mawlamyine, Sagaing,
and in destination countries. massive layoffs in the garment Pakokku, Magway and North
sector resulting from COVID-19, Dagon to support migrants during
Some LIFT-supported responses to COVID-19 that contributed towards there was a significant need the quarantine period. In 2020,
decent labour and safe migration included: for legal assistance services for MC’s COVID-19 response activities
workers to claim compensation reached a total of 141,716 migrant
in peri-urban Yangon. LIFT’s beneficiaries (44 per cent women)
partners stepped up to organise with gender-sensitive material
legal support for workers and assistance and 50,666 with
trade unions to resolve collective preventative information.
and individual labour disputes. • Psychosocial support - LIFT’s
Through Legal Clinic Myanmar, partners launched a psychosocial
WE Generation, Cooperative counselling service for workers to
Committee of Trade Unions, support them in coping with the
Workers Centers and Migrant heightened level of stress. During
Centers facilities the partners have 2020, LIFT-supported counselling
collectively supported over 670 services were delivered to 7,474
complainants, involving over 52, migrants (72 per cent women)
000 workers. As a result, financial in quarantine centers while 640
remedies of a total of USD 1.4 workers (over 70 per cent women)
million have been awarded. In were provided with counselling at
addition, partners provided legal the Workers Centers or through a
counselling through their 24-hour telephone hotline service named
hotline service. ‘Call Me Today’.
29 30THE LONG ROAD HOME FROM
ONE YEAR OF LIFT’S COVID-19 RESPONSE, STORIES THAT INSPIRE HOPE
THAILAND FOR NANG KYUU
Lulling her newborn son on a organization who were helping Nang
doorstep of her house in the Ho Kyuu contacted the IOM’s partner -
Nam village of Shan State, a 27- Parami Development Network (PDN)
year old Nang Kyuu who recently - to provide additional support.
returned from Thailand recalls her Through funding from LIFT, the
long way home and support from a IOM Twe Let project launched an
community organization during the emergency response programme to
most critical times of her journey. support the safe return of migrants
by providing them with essential
Prior to the outbreak of COVID-19, items and services.
Nang Kyuu had migrated to join her
husband in Thailand through a local PDN immediately went to the
broker while she was pregnant. The hospital to provide assistance
broker charged her 5.5 lakh but and stayed with Nang Kyuu to
she could not afford this and had support with the interpretation of
to borrow the money at 10 per cent administered medication. PDN has
interest. Once in Thailand, Nang also supported to cover the hospital
Kyuu worked at a durian processing costs such as medicines, surgery and
factory for 4 months making only blood transfusion as well as assisted
6,000 baht per month, which was during out-of-the-hospital recovery.
well below the legal minimum in
Thailand. It was not enough to save “The support of PDN has been
money or pay back the loan she really helpful for me and my family.
had taken to migrate to Thailand. They paid for the hospital costs,
However, due to her pregnancy transportation costs, and also gave
and the arrival of the COVID-19 translation support, all of which was
pandemic, she decided to return very helpful. I and my family are
to Myanmar. She was particularly really grateful to PDN,” said Nang
The support of PDN has been worried she would be unable to
access health services at a Thai
Kyuu.
really helpful for me and hospital due to the language barrier. After returning home, Nang Kyuu
continued facing many challenges.
my family. They paid for the While her return journey went
smoothly, Nang Kyuu faced many
Still recovering after a surgery, she
can manage only simple day labour
hospital costs, transportation challenges in her home village,
where she was placed in the village
works for as small as 3,000 kyat per
day as her husband couldn’t remit
costs, and also gave translation
quarantine facility for 14 days. After any money due to adverse reduction
just one night in quarantine, Nang of wages caused by the COVID-19
Kyuu suffered a risk of miscarriage. pandemic. She is very grateful for
support, all of which was very She was taken to a local hospital
with heavy bleeding, where medical
the extensive continuous support
provided by PDN, however, she
helpful. I and my family are personnel explained that she
needed surgery and rented a car to
also requested that “organisations
and government authorities should
really grateful to PDN. send her to Taunggyi. support the livelihoods of people
returning to Myanmar more and try
As neither Nang Kyuu nor her to create local jobs. I would like to
— Nang Kyuu
accompanying relatives spoke have the opportunity to open a small
Burmese, communication with the shop since it would be easier on my
hospital staff in Taunggyi proved very health.”
challenging. A community-based
31 32ONE YEAR OF LIFT’S COVID-19 RESPONSE, STORIES THAT INSPIRE HOPE
ZIN ZIN HTUT TURNS PANDEMIC
CHALLENGES INTO BUSINESS
OPPORTUNITIES
Like thousands of Myanmar women the job matching services in the
migrants, Zin Zin Htut from the shelter. Zin Zin Htut joined the Lan
Nyung Ywar Village in Hlaing Thar Pya Kyelzin women’s group in her
Yar Township has faced income loss village to produce soap and hand
and increased stress and insecurity sanitizers for the villagers.
as a result of #COVID-19. With the
COVID-19 arrival, she lost her job at “It has been such a good support
a garment factory and her husband during a very difficult time for me”,
couldn’t continue his car spare recalled Zin Zin Htut. “It was such
NGU YWET EI business at the pre-pandemic scale
due to the imposed restrictions. Lack
a joy to learn new skills and earn
income while regaining self-esteem
In April 2020, Ngu Ywet Ei, a migrant worker in Yangon, returned from her of income and growing uncertainty by working with people who believe
hometown in the Delta, where she had gone for Thingyan. Upon returning, over their future gave rise to in you.”
she discovered that she would not be paid for her past work at her garment aggression, harassment and family
factory. Her manager claimed she had taken leave without permission, violence, so Zin Zin Htut left her As her skills and profits are growing,
although Ngu Ywet Ei had received approval before leaving. She now faced husband and sought help. Zin Zin Htut is planning to launch her
the prospect of losing the money she needed to support her family of seven own soap production!
in Yangon during the pandemic. LIFT-funded Women’s Organization
Network (WON) offered her shelter,
Ngu Ywet Ei turned to LIFT-funded ActionAid for legal advice and they
connected her with Legal Clinic Myanmar which helped her to receive the
psychosocial counselling and
vocational training. Zin Zin Htut
It was such a joy to
200,000 Myanmar kyat (US$151) due from her employer. Once she had
received her withheld salary, Ngu Ywet Ei quit her old job and is now working
attended training to learn how to learn new skills and
produce hand sanitizers and soap
at a different garment factory earning 50,000 kyat (US$38) extra. and soon was offered a job through earn the income
Ngu Ywet Ei is one of 560,000 people working in Myanmar’s garment while regaining self-
industry, most of whom are migrant workers and 90 per cent women.
The COVID-19 outbreak left many of them without income due to factory
esteem by working
shutdowns, layoffs or employers refusing to pay their workers because of with people who
disruptions in the supply of raw materials and reduced orders.
believe in you.
— Zin Zin Htut
Legal Clinic Myanmar which
helped to receive the due
200,000 Myanmar kyat (US$151)
from her employer.
33 34ONE YEAR OF LIFT’S COVID-19 RESPONSE, STORIES THAT INSPIRE HOPE
LA NAW DAUNG NAW:
“I’M HAPPY WITH MY JOB!”
La Naw Daung Naw from the Wine found a job as a sewing machine
Maw district of Myitkyina in Kachin operator in the Dagon Talent factory.
state was only 18 years old when With a monthly salary of 200,000
she decided to move to Yangon for Kyats and knowledge of managing
better job opportunities to support her income, which she learned
her family. Through a church during her studies, La Naw Daung
network in her native town, she Naw was able to send money home
learned about the Aung Myin Hmu every month, buy a new smartphone
Garment Training Center, which and make savings.
offered free sewing and sewing
machine operating classes. She “I am happy that I could support
was interested in attending skills my family after earning nothing in
training for the garment sector my native town,” she said. “After a
but was unsure about whether the year in the Dagon Talent factory, I
opportunity was real: “I was worried strengthened my skills and now I can
that Aung Myin Hmu training centre work faster and produce beyond my
was a fake because it sounded too targets every day. I’m often praised
good to be true”. for technical knowledge while some
workers produce less than I do
After a phone call to Aung Myin Hmu and many make mistakes as they
staff and discussions within her didn’t have proper training,” she
church parish, La Naw Daung Naw added, plus she also gained good
decided to take a chance. communications skills from the
I’m so lucky that I could keep “We learned that Aung Myin Hmu
training center.
my job. Aung Myin Hmu would also help finding a job in
garment factories after their training,
When COVID-19 arrived, La Naw
Daung Naw felt the benefits from her
trained me very well to be a so my friends and I decided to move
to Yangon together,” she added.
training as the factory was forced
to reduce staffing but kept her on
professional sewing machine
After a long journey to Yangon, La because of her competency and
Naw Daung Naw joined a group of skills. Reflecting on the experience,
young women in the Aung Myin Hmu she said: “I’m so lucky that I could
operator in a garment factory. Center studying to become sewing
machine operators in a garment
keep my job. Aung Myin Hmu trained
me very well to be a professional
— LA Naw Daung Naw factory. During her two months of sewing machine operator in a
training, she built strong friendships garment factory”.
and learned sewing techniques in
demand in workplaces. She also She was getting her full salary during
participated in training on labour the COVID-19 pandemic, though
rights, sexual harassment and soft her factory was affected by the
skills that would help her succeed in restrictions and limitations. “I will
her work. continue working in the garment
factory and I am happy with my job”,
After completing Aung Myin Hmu’s concluded La Naw Daung Naw.
courses, La Naw Daung Naw quickly
35 36ONE YEAR OF LIFT’S COVID-19 RESPONSE, STORIES THAT INSPIRE HOPE
LA ZARU FROM AN IDP CAMP IN
MYITKYINA PURSUES A DREAM
OF OWNING A MOTORBIKE
REPAIR SHOP
A 31-year old La Zaru, from the he said. “When my children grow
Inn Jan Done camp for internally older, I will also teach them so that
displaced people in Myitkyina, is we can work together.”
counting days when his life dream of
owning a motorbike repair business During the training, he acquired
would come true. Displaced by both technical skills to handle the
conflict, La Zaru, a breadwinner for mechanics and repairs and soft skills
his family of six, would not reject such as business management to
any job to support his wife and four run his venture.
children. Working part-time as a
security guard in restaurants and “I planned to start up a motorbike
hotels, he would only make 150,000 repair business right after
MMK a month, a very scanty income graduation, however, the COVID-19
to provide for his family. outbreak has introduced some
changes. I decided to work as
When he learned about the LIFT- a mechanic first to get more
supported motorbike repair training experience,” remarked La Zaru.
by FRC, La Zaru had no moment of Despite COVID-19 limitations that
doubt as it was his chance to gain affected many businesses, La Zaru’s
sought-after skills in order to start competencies helped him to find a
new businesses. job in a motorcycle repairing shop.
I planned to start up a “From the very first day of the
When many hotels and restaurants
have closed due to the COVID-19
motorbike repair business right training I understood that it will be a
really useful course to start my new
restrictions, his new profession
provided him with the opportunity
career as a motorbike mechanic!” to ensure a decent income for his
after graduation, however, remarked La Zaru. family.
the COVID-19 outbreak has Attending and servicing motorbikes
is a valid business prospect in
“I enjoyed the training and learned
a lot about motorbike repairing in a
introduced some changes. I Myanmar which has a thriving
motorbike industry with hundreds of
comfortable environment during the
training. Thank you FRC for this great
decided to work as a mechanic thousands people riding their bikes
for work, business or leisure. La Zaru
opportunity!”
first to get more experienc intends to turn his dream into reality
and use his skills to earn an income
to support his family. “I want to open
— La Zaru my own motorbike repair business,”
37 38ONE YEAR OF LIFT’S COVID-19 RESPONSE, STORIES THAT INSPIRE HOPE
The LIFT-supported COVID-19 repayment capacity. By the end
financial inclusion response included of December, 20 of LIFT’s 22
the following activities: supported MFIs reported that
FINANCIAL INCLUSION
almost 383,188 loans amounting
• Injection of additional credit to USD 47.6 million were
for resilience, recovery rescheduled.
With the COVID-19 outbreak in Myanmar, LIFT and its partners reacted and economic growth - LIFT • Promote access and use
quickly at multiple levels to engage with policy makers and provide loan mobilised USD 5.5 million as of financial services - LIFT
capital to the microfinance sector while ensuring that the end-clients - an early response to mitigate continued capital investments in
farmers and rural communities - could still access financial services to the pandemic’s impact on the rural markets as part of COVID-19
sustain their livelihoods. microfinance sector. This USD 5.5 response with loan disbursement
million leveraged USD 67.13 in reaching over USD 305.7 million
international capital investment and benefiting over 2.49 million
in the sector through LIFT’s people. LIFT’s microfinance
Capital Markets Programme with partners also provided recovery
partner The Currency Exchange loans for clients whose businesses
Fund (TCX). By December, nine of had been impacted by COVID-19
LIFT’s partner MFIs had accessed and developed a new offset loan
loans from this new funding for for clients in crisis situations
immediate COVID-19 responses. (natural disaster, pandemic, etc.).
LIFT and its microfinance partners • Support for the government's
also closely engaged with policy COVID-19 Economic Relief Plan
makers on the COVID-19 related (CERP) - In August-October 2020,
policies reviews and regulatory thirteen of LIFT’s microfinance
adaptations. partners supported the
• Adaptation of financial Department of Social Welfare to
services to client needs - distribute one-off cash transfers
Since COVID-19 first impacted of MMK 30,000 (USD 22) to over
Myanmar in mid-March, all LIFT’s 34,600 pregnant women and
financial inclusion partners took a mothers of young children in nine
responsible lender role to support states/regions including Mon,
clients during the crisis, preserve Kachin, Magway, Sagaing (Except
their financial stability and to Naga), Mandalay, Tanintharyi,
provide additional liquidity for Yangon, Bago, and Nay Pyi
clients' livelihood recovery. LIFT’s Taw, where the national MCCT
microfinance partners suspended programme was not implemented.
collection of loan principals and One-off cash payment programme
interest, introduced grace periods, amounting to nearly USD 726,000
and modified procedures for was implemented through the
loan disbursements and deposit app-based Ngwe Bike or Silver
taking. MFIs have also revisited pregnant programme as part
rescheduling schemes with a of the government's COVID-19
sound understanding of clients’ Economic Relief Plan (CERP).
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