The country has remained under the repressive rule of a military junta since General Ne Win led a military coup in 1962. The country has a long history of human rights abuses including ethnic cleansing and forced labour.
In May 2008, Cyclone Nargis hit Myanmar. The tremendous force of the 190km/hr cyclone caused the deaths of an estimated 80,000 people, destroyed homes, damaged the country's already failing infrastructure, and greatly increased the daily hardships endured by those living in extreme poverty under the rule of the junta.
ActionAid in Myanmar
Following Cyclone Nargis in May 2008, ActionAid partnered with local NGO Myanmar Egress, to provide much needed assistance.
Together, ActionAid and Myanmar Egress were able to provide food and water, medical supplies, blankets and temporary shelter to over 200 villages during the months following the cyclone.
To rebuild the country's infrastructure, homes and livelihoods, Myanmar Egress also implemented cash for work schemes which allowed the devastated population to being earning an income, while at the same time contributing to the regeneration of the public sphere.
ActionAid has also been providing psychosocial care for those who were fortunate to have survived the cyclone, but who are struggling to come to terms with the trauma of losing family members and livelihoods, and now face the daunting task of rebuilding their lives.
Essential Stats
| Myanmar | Australia | |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 48,137,741 (2009) | 21.5 million (2009) |
| Area | 678,500 km2 | 7,703,581 km2 |
| Gross Domestic Product (GDP) | $55.04 billion (2008) | $970.6 billion (2009) |
| GDP per capita | $1,200 (2008) | $44,598 (2009) |
| Human Development Index | 0.585 (2006) | 0.965 (2009) |
| Life expectancy (male/female) | 59.1/65.3 (2005-2010) | 79/84 (2005-2010) |
| Adult literacy (%) | 89.9 (1995-2005) | 99 (1995-2005) |
