Myanmar is the world’s forgotten crisis.
The crisis in Myanmar following a military coup in 2021 is ranked by the UN as the world’s most severe conflict crisis, exceeding even Ukraine and Ethiopia.
- 14 million people are in humanitarian need and food insecure
- 2 million people have lost their homes and fled violence, including nearly a million since the military coup happened in February last year
- Collapse of basic services, including no education system for two years
- Over 2,200 civilians have been killed by security services and 12,000 jailed for opposing the coup.
Humanitarian relief efforts will always be ‘fire-fighting’ unless Myanmar’s communities can develop their own skills and knowledge to restore resilience.
Prospect Burma’s Mission:
To offer hope – and practical, targeted support – to equip individuals and organisations with expertise to match their energy and dedication to build an alternative, peaceful future.
The situation will worsen because the education system shut down for two years. Over 500 schools have been destroyed by fire, and others by military airstrikes. At least two thirds of young people are staying away from state education to avoid the military regime and human rights abuses.
While many young people have a primary level education, less than a fifth have passed a Grade 10 exam, and there is no Grade 11/12 (sixth form) to progress to higher or vocational education to become a doctor, engineer, agriculturist or any other skilled professional the country needs.
Young people have ambition and ability to help their communities recover. Prospect Burma helps them succeed in their plans by bridging the education gap that holds them back.
Young people are Myanmar’s long term future
Prospect Burma has helped more than 1,400 young people achieve a degree or higher, in the safety of universities outside Myanmar. Collectively, these individuals now make a huge difference to their communities
How our funding was distributed in 2021-22:
Support for young people at post-high school level
- 133 young people supported to study online or in person
- 122 items of IT equipment (laptops, power banks, mobile data packages, wifi packages)
- 4,240 nights’ accommodation for students in safe cross-border locations
- 12,720 meals
- 4 Community Based Organisations funded to provide learning opportunities in their communities
Support for young people at further education level:
- 23 scholarship information sessions, presented to 1,932 young people
- 66 partial university scholarships awarded, paying for tuition fees and/or subsistence and travel to safely study abroad
- 19 visas to study abroad for young people needing assistance to get visas
- 31 pastoral engagements (welfare and mental health visits by staff in India, Thailand and the UK)
- 6 partnerships with universities in Thailand, Germany and Canada to waive tuition fees
The determined young individuals we support go on to help thousands more people in Myanmar. We work alongside each person to help them study for one to five years, and then to connect with other alumni and make an even bigger difference.
We are working on a long term solution to a long term crisis. The solution is delivered by young people with ideas and energy to best solve their communities’ issues. We are simply the enablers. Join us in helping young people realise their potential to change a nation.