Food Banks
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.
Emergency relief for conflict affected populations
In partnership with local organisations, Health & Hope is delivering the LAMP RISE Project across North West Myanmar. Grounded in direct community assessments, this initiative bridges urgent, life-saving aid with long-term stability and resilience.
Immediate Relief & Basic Needs
- Direct Cash Support: Giving flexible financial assistance directly to vulnerable families prioritising pregnant and breastfeeding mothers, infants, elderly individuals, and people with disabilities so they can buy what they need most as they work toward financial stability.
- Essential Household Supplies: Distributing vital items including bedding, cooking sets, clothing, and hygiene products to displaced families and camps for displaced people.
- Shelter & Safe Sanitation: Repairing damaged homes and building critical clean water, sanitation, and hygiene facilities to keep families safe and healthy.
- Connecting to Critical Care: Guiding families toward external health, legal, education, and social protection services whenever extra support is needed.
Community Protection & Safety
- Safety & Survival Training: Equipping communities with contingency plans and practical training on conflict safety protocols (including airstrike safety), landmine and explosive awareness, child protection, preventing gender-based violence, and mental health support.