A small programme was established in Myanmar in 2001 following several missions, starting in 1999, by the Asia Director and the Regional Coordinator responsible for New Country Initiatives. The programme was based on the strong belief that influencing real change within the country could only be nurtured from inside.

Work in Myanmar was focused initially on Kachin state in 2001 and later expanded to Kayah and Rakhine states and the Ayeyerwaddy Division in 2007. These areas were mostly characterised by a high concentration of minority ethnic communities, affected by conflict, and disaster. The decision to focus on these areas was driven in part by the need to accommodate strong voices outside Myanmar who opposed the military rule , and who viewed work in government controlled areas as an implicit endorsement of the regime. In addition poverty, vulnerability and marginalisation in these areas were (and are) very high, not least because of internal conflict, internal population displacement and the human rights violations that accompany conflict.The central approach of ActionAid in Myanmar is supporting local organisations through intensive training and deployment of ‘change-makers’ (youth leaders) in target communities.ActionAid is an international anti-poverty agency working in over 50 countries, taking sides with poor people to end poverty together. ActionAid Myanmar’s approach is building capacity among youth and supporting them to work for the community for short and long term development for their own community. One of its main programs is participatory community development (includes livelihood, health, education, DRR etc.); through fellowship for young people to promote development in Myanmar. ActionAid Myanmar has been working in partnership with the government, local and national NGOs in different states and divisions.Events from 2008 onwards have dramatically changed both the external and internal context in Myanmar and thus changed the context in which ActionAid is operating in the country. Cyclone Nargis in May 2008, the constitutional reform process with national elections in 2010, ongoing changes in the political-economy within and outside of Myanmar, and the thawing of the international communitys’ relations towards the Myanmar government are all events which open up spaces and opportunities in Myanmar which have hitherto been absent. On the other side, ActionAid’s work since 2001 and particularly its high quality response to cyclone Nargis have greatly expanded ActionAid’s political and social networks, visibility and recognition, and ActionAid’s operational capability.