Significant Environmental Shocks and Stresses 

On 13 March 2020, the Covid-19 Control and Emergency Response Committee announced restrictions on public gatherings of more than five people, domestic and international travel permissions, and encouraged stay at home/work from home. Myanmar confirmed the first case in the country on 23 March 2020 and on 18 April 2020, the Government of Myanmar announced lock-down restrictions and stay at home measures in seven Yangon townships and a night curfew in Yangon, this followed on from stay at home orders, cancellations of public transport and banning of festivals. Besides the restrictions announced by the Central Government, each Region and State Government had also announced specific restrictions and measures at their regional level. Quarantine centers were widely developed and quarantine periods applied to both national and international travelers.

In early June, Myanmar commenced the process of reopening, lifting some bans on public gatherings to five or more within set pre-requisites and some travel restrictions such as allowing the operation of bus lines from 31 May 2020. Besides, the Regions/States have progressively lifted their restrictions and reduced the scope of quarantine by imposing it only to travelers from foreign countries.

Meanwhile, the restrictions and precautionary measures had significant impact on the livelihood of a majority of families and exacerbated the vulnerabilities. In the Northern Chin State, some positive cases were declared at the early stage of the pandemic and local restrictions were applied (town markets closed in the afternoon, all shops excluding food retailers closed, some villages locked down, no circulation of bus/private cars) resulting to drastically reducing the access to market, the demand for inputs and services, the small trading activities, the border trade, and the daily work opportunities.

Farmers have faced difficulties to sell their small livestock and products which has affected their capacities to purchase commodities and invest in coming cropping season or off-farm activities. The outbreak of the covid-19 has created potential impacts on the agriculture and market in the geographic area of CORAD’s project intervention. Since the beginning of the pandemic, no significant disruptions in the supply of food have been experienced so far. However, logistical challenges within supply chains, particularly cross-border and domestic restrictions of movement, as well as labour issues, may lead to disruptions in food supply, especially if they remain in place long-term. High-value, and especially perishable commodities, such as fresh fruit and vegetables and value chain crops (Onion, Grapes and Elephant Foot Yam) are likely to be particularly affected. Women and children are likely to feel the impact more strongly, as they are particularly exposed to socioeconomic vulnerability. Most importantly, the difficulties faced by the Chin migrants in foreign countries has led to reducing the remittances, one of the main income sources for Chin families, and increasing their returns in an unfavorable socio-economic context. 

Farmers have faced difficulties to sell their small livestock and products which has affected their capacities to purchase commodities and invest in coming cropping season or off-farm activities. The outbreak of the covid-19 has created potential impacts on the agriculture and market in the geographic area of CORAD’s project intervention. Since the beginning of the pandemic, no significant disruptions in the supply of food have been experienced so far. However, logistical challenges within supply chains, particularly cross-border and domestic restrictions of movement, as well as labour issues, may lead to disruptions in food supply, especially if they remain in place long-term. High-value, and especially perishable commodities, such as fresh fruit and vegetables and value chain crops (Onion, Grapes and Elephant Foot Yam) are likely to be particularly affected. Women and children are likely to feel the impact more strongly, as they are particularly exposed to socioeconomic vulnerability. Most importantly, the difficulties faced by the Chin migrants in foreign countries has led to reducing the remittances, one of the main income sources for Chin families, and increasing their returns in an unfavorable socio-economic context. 

In the mandated program of LIFT ( UNOPS, Myanmar), CORAD had already implemented its successful awareness program in 117 villages in 5 Township benefiting a total of 69354 beneficiaries (F: 34958, M: 34396) during the implementation period from March to May,2020.

In the mandated program of LRC and ACCESS TO HEALTH FUND, CORAD has implemented the program entitled as the ‘ COVID-19 Emergency Response Awareness Program through the provision of soaps and protective masks in Chin State’  benefiting the total population of 15,627 Population (M: 7819, F: 7808, 250 IDPs) beneficiaries in 28 villages.