Myanmar conflict has led to a serious humanitarian crisis, with more than 18.6 million people requiring aid in 2024. The collapse of the public health system, combined with widespread violence, has left a lot without access to essential services. The situation is still exacerbated by an increasing public health crisis, in particular epidemics of acute aqueous diarrhea (AWD) and cholera across the country, especially low resources and difficult to access areas.
To support the Myanmar health response, the World Health Organization (WHO), through the World Alert and Response Network (Goarn), has deployed two remote experts to provide critical technical expertise. These experts, goarn’s partner institutions – in particular the European program for intervention epidemiology (EPIE) – have completed two consecutive deployments of several weeks, providing technical support for the response to the AWD epidemic and cholera. Their efforts have focused on the supply of response to epidemics, including data analysis to clarify preventive and response measures thanks to a several -component approach. Goarn experts worked closely with WHO and other partners to identify high -risk areas and support the detection and response of epidemics.
Goarn deployments have contributed to developing tools based on evidence to predict the probability of transmission of cholera and all -wheel drive, shed light on coordination between multiple sector partners, improve the hierarchy of the response according to the approach informed of data.
“Goarn is continuously adapting to work in different situations and adopts new approaches. During the COVVI-19 pandemic, we expanded the use of remote deployments more widely when various restrictions hampered the support on the spot. Today, we continue to use remote deployments if necessary to overcome the challenges. We make sure that the support reaches those who need it most and provide countries with essential technical assistance. “Said Armand Bejtullahu, director of Goarn.
“The support we have received from Goarn experts has been invaluable to strengthen our response to epidemics,” said Dr. Fernando Thushara, representative of the country in Myanmar. “Their expertise in the management of epidemics has considerably improved our preparation for response capacity, in particular in terms of coordination with partners in accordance with health needs.”
A key element of remote deployments was to produce additional analyzes which currently inform the inter-site and inter-midnim response, both in terms of preventive measures and response. Goarn’s deployments have ensured the sustainability of response efforts by also providing remote capacity and technical advice to relevant cluster partners offering a response to several components to the transmission of BAM and cholera.
“The Regional Office of Southeast Asia has collaborated closely with experts to combat the growing risks of transmission of epidemics. In the future, we will continue to work with Goarn Partners to meet the current needs and improve Surveillance activities, which are essential to inform both response and recovery efforts in the region, “said Dr. Nilesh Buddha, Regional Emergency Director AG in New Delhi.
The efforts supported by Goarn played a crucial role in the mitigation of the growing risks associated with the transmission of all -wheel drive and cholera. Although significant progress has been made, continuous support remains essential to the monitoring activities of Myanmar epidemics and recovery. Goarn remains determined to provide remote technical expertise to support the country’s long -term public health efforts.