FY2020

2021
Country Report of Myanmar

Ms. Mi Mi Tun
Assistant Director
Department of Disaster Management
Ministry of Social welfare, Relief and Resettlement

Republic of the Union of Myanmar

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Introduction
The Republic of the Union of Myanmar is geographically situated in southeast Asia between
latitudes 90° 32' N & 28° 31' N and longitudes 92° and 10' E& 101° 11'E .It is surrounded by China in
north and north east, Loa PDR and Thailand in east and south east.
Myanmar is one of the largest countries in South East Asia covering 261,228 square miles. It
stretches for 582 miles from east to west and 1,275 miles from north to south. The population of
Myanmar (2019) is 54.05 million. Myanmar is ethnically diverse with more than 135 ethnic groups
represented within the total population. The largest city in Myanmar is Yangon and the capital of
Myanmar is Naypyitaw. The predominately spoken language in Myanmar is Burmese and 89 percent of
the population is Buddist .

Hazard Profile of Myanmar

Myanmar is prone to almost all types of hazards, which include fire, forest fire, earthquake,
strong wind/ cyclone, storm surge, tsunami, landslide, floods, drought and industrial/ technological
hazard. In recent years, the country is also witnessing a spate of localized disasters such as lightning and
riverbank erosion. In 2014-2017, lightning led to the loss of 175 lives. During the same period,
Myanmar also experienced loss of 261 and 782 lives due to riverbank erosion and strong wind
respectively. The 2015 floods caused damages and losses amounting to USD1.5 billion, while the 2008
Cyclone Nargis led to USD 4.1 billion.
In 2019 beginning of July, there were flooding and landslides in our country due to torrential
rains. It caused the worst event of landslide in Mon State in August 2019. Combining of torrential rains
and illegally excavation of soft soil by local people caused the mountain sliding to the Thae Phyu Kone
village in Paung Township. 175 people were affected by landslide and about 75 people were dead and
more than 40 were missing under the mud. On August 2020, widespread floods effected multiple
regions in Myanmar due to overflow of the Ayeyarwady and the Thanlyin Rivers. At least 21,500 people
were affected.
Table 1 Hazard Profile of Myanmar (MAPDRR 2017)
Hazard Profile

Earthquake and Tsunami Two main sources: Sagaing fault, and the Sunda subduction megathrust
zone. Four areas are designated as the Destructive Zone: 1), Bago-Phyu,
2) Mandalay-Sagaing-Tagaung, 3) Putao-Tanaing, and Kale-Homalin.
Although the latter two have major earthquake hazards, their risk-level
is low because they are sparsely populated. In coastal areas of
Myanmar: Rakhine Coast falls in the Strong Zone with modified
mercalli intensity (MMI) 8, the Ayeyawady Delta and Taninthayi coasts
fall in the Moderate Zone with MMI.
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Fire/Forest fire Most frequent hazards occurring in Myanmar. In the Last ten years
(2007-2016), 12,000 cases were recorded and Yangon, Mandalay,
Ayeyarwaddy, Sagaing and Bago are the most affected States and
Regions.

Drought Approximately 51 townships spread across Magway, Mandalay and

Sagaing (lower) regions are prone to drought.

Landslide The mountainous regions, especially in the western ranges and some
localities in the eastern highland are prone to landslides. The western
ranges have experienced different types of landslides and earth
movements such as rock falls, rockslides, soil avalanches and mud
flows.

Floods Flood is one of the most frequent hazards in Myanmar. The threat of
flooding usually occurs three times per year, in June, July August late,
September and October with the biggest threat in August, as monsoon
rains peak around that time. Most of the areas of Myanmar are prone to
floods and the central part of Ayeyarwaddy Region is the most affected
one.

Cyclone/StormSurge Myanmar is highly vulnerable to these hazards, Particularly, during the

months of April and May, and also during October to November.
Cyclones often occur in the middle of the monsoon season, but they
usually don't reach their maximum strength. However, in 2015 Cyclone
Komen had disruptive effects, causing heavy rain, landslides and flood.
In coastal areas, cyclone can cause storm surges. Climate change is
likely to worsen the risk of existing cyclone/storm surge.

Industrial/ Myanmar has 51 industrial parks (limited information), primarily

Technological Hazards located in Yangon and Mandalay regions. Most of the companies are
small to medium enterprises, and lack disaster risk management and
business continuity plans. There is a need for profiling of Industrial
technological hazard.
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Climate Change and Variability

Studies at the global level have found that climate change is reconfiguring hazards and
increasing the risks of disasters. The rise in sea levels, changes in the intensity of the strongest storms
and the frequency with which they occur. This in turn increases extreme temperatures, and alters
precipitation patterns. Although, it is difficult to link an individual extreme event to climate change,
Myanmar has witnessed some extreme events in recent years. For example, in the Chin State, during the
last seven days of July 2015, the recorded rainfall was 30 percent higher than in any other month over
the past 25 years. The monthly rainfall of July measured at the weather station in Hakha was equal to a
1-in-1000-year rainfall. In July 2009, 434 mm of rainfall fell in a single day in Launglon, which was the
highest rainfall recorded in the country during a 24 hours period. In August 2009, the Bago Region
experienced its highest 24 hours rainfall in 45 years. On 21st July 2011, 739 mm of rainfall within a 24
hours period in Taungoke, Rakhine, was recorded as the highest rainfall in the country. On 14th May
2010, the highest temperature, reaching 47.2°C, was recorded in Myanmar. Climate change projections:
A recent study on climate risk in Myanmar, found that the climate is projected to shift dramatically in
the coming decades. The study highlighted the following:

• In every region in Myanmar, temperatures are expected to soar by the middle of the 21st
century by 1.3°C–2.7°C.

• The eastern and northern hilly regions are projected to see the most dramatic warming,
with temperatures rising as much as 3°C during the hot season.

• In the future, the country can experience anywhere between 4 to 17 days of extreme heat
every month, in contrast to one day a month during the period between 1981–2010.

• Changes in rainfall patterns are projected to vary by region and season. While increases
are projected during the monsoon season, both a rise and fall in the temperature is likely
during the rest of the year.

• Projections on rising sea levels for the coastline , range from 20 cm to 41 cm by mid-
century.

The implication of climate change on six development sectors: agriculture, fisheries and
livestock; environment and natural resources; energy, transport and industry; cities, towns and human
settlements; climate hazards and health; and education, science and technology has been analyzed in the
Myanmar Climate Change Strategy and Action Plan.
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Legislative and Institutional Arrangements for Disaster Risk Management

Legislative and institutional arrangements for Disaster Risk Management is evolving in

Myanmar. The country enacted the Disaster Management Law in 2013 and the Disaster Management
Rules was prescribed in 2015. The Law was developed to be in line with Hyogo Framework for Action
(2005-2015) and to comply with the AADMER. The Law does not include the concept of climate
change adaption (CCA), and focuses on risk information, preparedness, awareness and early warning,
and data management for early warning systems, together with the following objectives:

· to implement natural disaster management programmes systematically and expeditiously

in order to reduce disaster risks;
· to form the National Committee and Local Bodies in order to implement natural disaster
management programmes systematically and expeditiously;
· to coordinate with national and international government departments and organizations,
social organizations, other non-government organizations or international organizations
and regional organizations in carrying out natural disaster management activities;
· to conserve and restore the environment affected by natural disasters;
· to provide health, education, social and livelihood programmes in order to bring about
better living conditions for victims.

The Law enables the formation of the National Disaster Management Committee (NDMC) with its
duties and Powers.

National Disaster Management Committee

According to the Disaster Management Law, the National Disaster Management Committee
(NDMC) chaired by the Vice-President 2 has formed. National Disaster Management Committee is the
supreme agency on Disaster Risk Management (DRM) (policy level, decision making, formulating
strategies, and overall supervision). The duties and functions of NDMC are as following:

(a) to set up required organizations to implement the activities of the committee; to provide
policies according to the priority of step by step activities; to review the progress of the work
of the committee and give instructions as necessary.
(b) To provide guidance to use domestic resources as necessary in the face of natural disasters.
(c) To adopt basic principles on coordination for activities which are necessary to receive
assistance external sources .
(d) To manage national finance and resources, and then to distribute them to required places.
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(e) If necessary, to issue orders and instructions to carry out natural disaster management
functions without hindrances, avoiding the misuse of rescue materials and prevail law and
order in the community during and after the natural disasters;
The twelve work committees related to the specific areas of disaster risk management and an
advisory committee have been set-up under NDMC. State/Region-, District-, Township- and Village
Tract-level Disaster Management Bodies had also been formed respectively. The organogram is
reflected in the following figure .

The National Disaster Management Work Committee (NDMWC) chaired by the Union Minister
for Ministry of Social Welfare, Relief and Resettlement was formed to supervise the implementation of
the Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) activities. Department of Disaster Management under Ministry of
Social Welfare, Relief and Resettlement is the National Disaster Management Office for DRR and Line
Ministries with related mandates on DRR.

Disaster Risk Reduction Networks

Disaster Risk Reduction Working Group (DRR Working Group): The DRR Working Group was
established in 2008 to support recovery and reconstruction efforts of Cyclone Nargis. It serves as a
platform for information sharing and strengthened coordination among development partners working
on disaster risk reduction issues. Working groups have been also set-up at the sub-national level in
selected regions and states, including in Mon State, Kayin State and Rakhine State. The groups also
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coordinate sub-national risk reduction activities. UNDP is the chair of the DRR Working Group at the
national level, while the Swiss Development Cooperation (SDC), the Community Development
Association and the International Organization for Migration (IOM) head the DRR Working Groups of
Chin State, Kayin State and Rakhine State respectively.

Myanmar Humanitarian Country Team (HCT): It is a strategic humanitarian coordination and

decision-making body that seeks to optimize the collective efforts of the UN, other international and
national organizations, non-governmental organizations and the Red Cross Movement. It is convened
under the leadership of the Humanitarian Coordinator (RC/HC). The UN Office for the Coordination of
Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) serves as its Secretariat. It oversees the development of sector/cluster
response plans and provides oversight and advice to the cluster/sector leads and humanitarian-focused
geographic and subsidiary groups. It also leads decision making on inter-agency coordination in regards
to assessments, joint monitoring and evaluation missions.

Non-government Organizations (NGOs): Several international and local non-government

organizations, community based organizations, professional societies such as Myanmar Engineering
Society, Myanmar Geosciences Society and Red Cross system are working on disaster risk management,
including community level disaster preparedness.

Myanmar Action Plan on Disaster Risk Reduction

The Myanmar Action Plan on Disaster Risk Reduction (MAPDRR), 2017 is a comprehensive
and unified action plan for disaster risk reduction with prioritized interventions across Myanmar till
2020. The vision of MAPDRR is to protect lives, economy, heritage and environment through an
inclusive approach towards sustainable development in Myanmar. With a long term vision and
considering deep-rooted underlying drivers of disaster risk, it has set an overall target for 2030. It aims
to provide a base for mobilizing and leveraging, primarily, national and external resources and will
provide a basis for result printed outcomes. The MAPDRR 2017 covers not only natural hazards but
also man-made accidents focusing on managing risks rather than managing disaster.
The action plan identifies 32 priority actions under four pillars: risk information and awareness;
risk governance; risk mitigation; and preparedness and response, rehabilitation and reconstruction. For
each priority action, objectives, activities, outputs, duration, lead agencies, and supporting partners have
been identified. The priority actions aim to strengthen the policy frameworks and systems for long-term
risk reduction. Robust implementation, funding as well as monitoring and evaluation mechanisms have
been identified for the MAPDRR 2017.
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Ministry of Social Welfare, Relief and Resettlement

In Myanmar, Ministry of Social Welfare, Relief and Resettlement is the focal Ministry for
disaster management. It also serves as the secretariat of NDMC. Under the Ministry, there are three
Departments: Department of Social welfare, Department of Disaster Management and Rehabilitation
Department. Department of Disaster Management (DDM) is responsible for conducting disaster
management activities in accordance with the international norms and standards. Under the
Department, there are Emergency Operation Center, Disaster Management Training Center(DMTC),
Region/State offices ,District offices and Township offices. DDM is a focal point of the ASEAN
Committee on Disaster Management (ACDM).

Emergency Operation Center: With the aim to provide the supports for emergency management,
response and logistic through information sharing on network and quick decision making, the Ministry
of Social Welfare, Relief and Resettlement plans to set up Emergency Operation Center(EOC).The
functions of EOC will include;

- Monitoring / Watching weather related information and early warnings were received
- Developing research on disasters occurred in Myanmar
- Developing the response plans for each type of disaster
- Exchanging weather information with local/ international organizations
- Documentation of disaster information, Distribution and Coordination

Myanmar Disaster Loss and Damage Database: The Myanmar Disaster Loss and Damage Database
has now been initiated by the Department of Disaster Management with the Objective to develop
national capacities for monitoring and analyzing risks and vulnerabilities to support disaster risk
reduction ,mitigation, preparedness, response and recovery. The National framework for the database
has been finalized and the pilot data collection is now under-way. The database could be linked with the
Regional and global networks in the near future.

Disaster Alert Notification (DAN) : DAN mobile app is intended to timely provide disaster
related information, weather news and other updates on disaster risk reduction activities in Myanmar.
It sends notifications about the early warning information on potential disaster situation to the users.
It also provides facts on disaster preparedness before disaster, dos and don’ts for (8) types of the most
likely disasters in Myanmar and other publications on disaster awareness. DAN is developed by the
Department of Disaster Management, Ministry of Social Welfare, Relief and Resettlement in partnership
with UNDP and Adaptation Fund to provide actionable disaster related information to communities in
Myanmar to be able to better prepare for and respond to disaster events.
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Myanmar Unified platform for Disaster Risk Application (MUDRA): Disasters can undermine
socio-economic development and set back hard-earned development gains. Understanding current and
future disasters and climate change associated risks is therefore important for sustainable development.
To enable risk-informed strategic development planning, the Myanmar Unified platform for Disaster
Risk Application (MUDRA) has been developed. MUDRA is an online interactive portal that provides
disaster risk information for strategic planning. The current portal includes risk information riverine
floods, coastal floods (storm surges) and cyclone winds. Several types of exposure data are included,
such as population density, buildings, agriculture and critical infrastructure. It is possible add other
hazards and exposure data in the future. The portal is intended to act as a common platform across
agencies in Myanmar for developing, collaborating and sharing disaster risk information to promote
risk-informed development and thereby contributing to the objectives of the Sendai Framework for
Disaster Risk Reduction, the Paris Agreement and the Sustainable Development Goals.

Conclusion

Myanmar ranks third out of 184 countries most affected by climate change in the last 20 years in
the 2019 Global Climate Risk Index. This is serious threat to Myanmar’s sustainable development.
Building disaster resilience in Myanmar becomes more important than ever, to be safe lives of Myanmar
people, to protect investment and to ensure the sustainability of development gains.
Myanmar sustainable Development Goal cannot be achieved without Disaster Risk Management
in Development plans. Myanmar needs to consider more about climate change and disaster risk in every
development plan and to enhance preparedness activities for future disasters. Early warning systems
need to be upgraded in order to issue more accurate and area-specific warnings.