Ayeyawady, Myanmar - In the face of a formidable task to deliver humanitarian assistance amid the severe flooding in Myanmar, youth volunteers are providing valuable support to UNFPA, the United Nations Population Fund, to reach communities affected by the disaster.
The youth volunteers under the Youth Information Corner (YIC) programme of UNFPA assist local authorities in providing health services to flood evacuees through mobile clinics. They also distribute relief goods and conduct health education sessions in temporary shelters.
Almost 600 000 people across 12 of the 14 states and regions in Myanmar have been affected by floods and landslides triggered by Cyclone Komen since mid-July.
Ma Tin Tin Myint joined the YIC in Sarmalauk Village, Nyaung Tone Township in the Ayeyawady Region when she was 20 and has been with the group for nine years now. She talks of her involvement in YIC with much enthusiasm but not without recalling a painful memory - the passing away of her older brother was the reason she joined YIC.
Her brother was an active member of the YIC until he fell ill in 2004. "Before his death, my brother told me to join the group as it was doing noble deeds. He was very motivated by YIC's work.", Ma Tin Tin recalls.
Supporting UNFPA's humanitarian response to Cyclone Komen survivors is not an easy task, especially since some of the youth volunteers were themselves affected by the floods. But they are not complaining.
"Sometimes we are so overwhelmed that we miss our meals, but we are glad to be of help. Our own homes were inundated by floods but we do this to give hope to the flood victims.", Ma Tin Tin says.
Last week, the Sarmalauk YIC, together with UNFPA and the Ministry of Health, delivered dignity kits by boat to affected women and girls in the community. UNFPA's trademark dignity kits contain essential items for female hygiene and safety, including sanitary pads, in times of displacement.
Daw Yu Myat Mun, National Programme Analyst, RH/Adolescents Reproductive Health of UNFPA Myanmar emphasized the significance of dignity kits in a disaster situation. "Dignity kits are critical to protect the integrity and dignity of women and girls and reduce their vulnerability to gender-based violence in times of crises.", she says.
Daw Tin Tin Toe, one of the women who received a dignity kit, appreciates the inclusion of clothes in the kit since her personal belongings were submerged in flood water.
"We could not pack our belongings when the flood came. In the past two weeks, no one came to help us. Today, when these young people came, we are very happy. The dignity kit has so many items and each one is useful.", she says.
Young people aged 15-24 account for nearly 30 % of Myanmar's population, according to the 2014 census which was supported by UNFPA. In partnership with the Ministry of Health, UNFPA supports Myanmar's young people in their transition to adulthood through life skills training. There are 70 YICs supported by UNFPA in the country.
