Locations
ENCORE
Enabling Community Recovery and Resilience
The Situation
Myanmar has been grappling with a profound economic crisis, leaving nearly half of its population—49.7 per cent—below the national poverty line, and an additional 25 per cent struggling to meet their basic needs. The country has seen its gross domestic product shrink by nine percent since 2020, reversing a decade of progress. Furthermore, inflation soared to 25.4 per cent in 2024, further squeezing household budgets and deepening the struggle for many families. Rural areas have been particularly hard hit, with livelihoods and local economies severely affected.
How UNDP is Responding
The Enabling Community Recovery and Resilience (ENCORE) project addresses the urgent needs of Myanmar's most vulnerable rural populations. Its goal is to help these communities recover from crises while building their resilience against future challenges, including climate change.
At the heart of the ENCORE project is a community-driven development approach, which empowers communities to actively engage in planning, decision-making, and preparing for their future, allowing them to lead their own recovery efforts.
The project revitalizes livelihoods by promoting income generation through community-led initiatives that improve essential infrastructure, like ponds and roads. It also offers training and support to vulnerable women, enabling them to launch small businesses and secure reliable, diversified sources of income. Through these initiatives, the project fosters social cohesion and lays the groundwork for sustainable, long-term community development.
