Supporting Critical Health and Nutrition Services in Kachin Conflict Areas

Health workers participate in an ESPI Project IPHS training workshop in Kachin State. Photo: Community Partners International

Renewed tensions and conflict in Kachin State, Myanmar, have created a humanitarian emergency with nearly 100,000 people forcibly displaced into more than 130 displacement sites across the state. It is crucial that these displaced communities have access to basic health care and nutrition services to help them survive during these precarious times. 

In January 2019, Community Partners International (CPI) launched the Essential Health and Nutrition Service Provision of Internally Displaced Persons in Kachin State (ESPI) Project in partnership with the Back Pack Health Worker Team (BPHWT) and the Kachin Development Group (KDG) to support the delivery of critical health and nutrition services to more than 43,000 people living in conflict-affected areas of Chipwi, Hpakant, Injangyang, Momauk, Mansi, Sumprabum, and Waingmaw townships. Target populations include people living in conflict-affected areas, communities with histories of multiple displacements, communities receiving internally displaced persons (IDPs), and those living non-government controlled areas with poor access to health services.

​In March 2019, CPI conducted health facility assessments of clinics and services in 18 displacement camps to explore service capacity and readiness. In April, CPI met with the Kachin Independence Organization (KIO) to reach a cooperation agreement to support health provision and nutrition efforts. From May 13 to 23, CPI conducted a training workshop in Laiza for KDG and BPHWT clinic staff to support them to implement an Integrated Package of Health Services (IPHS), including nutrition, in communities affected by this humanitarian emergency.

Health workers participate in an ESPI Project IPHS training workshop in Kachin State. Photo: Community Partners International

In the next phase of the project, CPI will work closely with BPHWT and KDG to support the implementation of the IPHS. Key activities will include the distribution of essential medicines and equipment to clinics and mobile health teams in 18 displacement camps; the distribution of micro-nutrients to pregnant women and children under five with the support of the National Nutrition Program and State Health Department; and monitoring of children under five for malnutrition and referral of moderate acute malnourished children for treatment.

​The Essential Health and Nutrition Service Provision of Internally Displaced Persons in Kachin State (ESPI) Project is supported by the Myanmar Humanitarian Fund.