Humanitarian Relief

To address the issue of food insecurity, Health & Hope established the Food Banks Project in 2023. This aims to enhance food access and availability to displaced communities. Now that the crisis in Myanmar is in its fifth year, we are seeking to address the problem of overreliance on dwindling external food aid support by transitioning to a more sustainable food access solution at affordable subsidised rates through food banks serving displaced people. Currently we are operating five food banks which has benefitted more than 7,000 individuals to date.

This will help reduce malnutrition, which is evident in communities without food banks based on local surveys (2024). Our surveys of children under 5 years of age indicate lower levels of malnutrition in those areas where our food banks are in operation. Maintaining the operation of these food banks is therefore critical for those communities.

The food banks stock food, using revolving funds, that refugee households earning some income from informal agriculture based work and daily labour, can purchase. The food banks also provide food aid/grants to targeted, more vulnerable refugee groups unable to purchase food.

“When the food bank was set up, it made a big difference for us. We can buy the food we need at lower prices than in local shops, and the option to buy on credit and pay at the end of the month has been a huge help. I kindly ask that the food bank keeps running regularly because we really rely on it, and life would be much harder without this support. Thank you so much to everyone who has worked so hard to make this happen. We pray that God blesses you all richly."

Emergency relief for conflict affected populations

With displacement numbers rising to over 3.5 million and subsequent loss of livelihoods, we are focusing on delivering a wide variety of humanitarian and emergency response projects in our partner communities. Through these we have been able to support tens of thousands of people with multi-purpose cash grants and household essentials. In one such recent project (2025), we distributed over 21,000 humanitarian assistance items such as mosquito nets, blankets, hygiene kits, torches and more.

Communities in these regions where we are working are experiencing a severe and on-going crisis due to the conflict. The challenging terrain makes it difficult for potential support or organisations to access these areas effectively, leaving the population struggling with unmet needs. Due to the continued airstrikes and bombardment homes are destroyed, livelihoods are disrupted, and necessities like medicine, food, and shelter is scarce.

Cash grants enable families to purchase what they need as determined by themselves. Food, shelter, school materials for children, access to medical care and household items are some examples of how the grants have been used.  This gives families the dignity of choice at a time when they know their needs the most.

In addition to this, we have provided mine and explosive ordnance education for affected communities. This is a significant risk wherever there has been ground conflict.

Despite a desire to engage in agriculture for many villagers, the persistent conflict hinders any meaningful progress towards economic stability or development. This is compounded by the threat of landmines and unexploded ordnance where the population is at high risk of injury, death and further displacement.

Thura (name changed) said, “Thank you for your support, I have received blankets, hygiene kits and solar lights. I am very happy because I have no income, and even transport is hard in our village. This time our needs are met. Your support is very helpful."