Mon State, Myanmar –  “The flood has disrupted our daily life and posed obstacles to accessing essential services, health care and livelihood opportunities. We found ourselves trapped in the middle of water since transportation networks were disrupted and roads submerged. Among the affected people, women and girls suffered the most,” Daw Nandar, 32, a woman from Mawlamyine township, shared. 

As the rain pours down relentlessly, the floods in Mon State not only disrupted the lives of people but also left behind a trail of hardships in the community. More than 1,500 people are affected by the flood and around 1,000 among those are women and girls. Having additional responsibilities to take care of the family and children, the situation becomes even more challenging for women. As the access to sanitation and hygiene facilities is compromised, it creates significant health risks, especially for women and girls.

Daw Thida, 33, one of the women from Kyaik Ma Yaw Township affected by the flood, said, “We lost our household items due to the flood. We need blankets and basic clothing including sanitary pads and women’s underwear. With the current situation and sky high living cost, we cannot afford to buy new items. The flood has left us feeling vulnerable and helpless.”

UNFPA, the United Nations sexual and reproductive health agency, in collaboration with a local partner Myittasaytaman, has provided dignity kits and clean delivery kits for women and girls in affected areas in Mon state. The dignity kits contain essential items that help women maintain their hygiene, safety, and dignity during times of crisis. These kits include items such as sanitary pads, soap, underwear, and other personal hygiene products. The provision of these kits ensures that women and girls can manage their menstrual health with dignity and comfort, even amidst the chaos brought on by the floods.

UNFPA supports local organization in providing dignity kits and clean delivery kits for flood-affected women and girls in Mon State.

Furthermore, the clean delivery kits play a vital role in safeguarding the health of expectant mothers and newborns. With healthcare facilities often cut off during floods, the clean delivery kits provided by UNFPA equip skilled birth attendants and midwives with the necessary tools to ensure safe deliveries at home or in temporary shelters.

Daw Swe Win, 28, a resident of Mudon township in Mon State said, “We felt worried about our health and well-being after the flood hit our community. But thanks to support from UNFPA through local organization, we received essential items at our doorsteps even in this extreme situation. Having these essential items in dignity kits, we maintain our dignity and wellbeing and feel empowered.”

UNFPA's intervention not only addresses urgent needs but also strengthen its commitment to the well-being and dignity of women and girls as a testament to the power of humanitarian aid and solidarity, leaving no one behind.