An estimated 400,000 persons live in Yangon’s informal settlements. High density, lack of access to water sanitation, poor hygiene practices, and inadequate housing increase the risk of mass COVID-19 transmission within Yangon’s informal settlements.

Since the beginning of COVID-19, UN-Habitat has been actively engaged in the informal settlements areas of Yangon to provide COVID-19 prevention and management assistance to vulnerable communities. Amidst the challenging operational environment in Myanmar, UN-Habitat reached over 230,000 schoolchildren in 341 schools, 35,500 households, and 37 health centers through the distribution of relief protection items and IEC materials and the installation of over 1,300 units of handwashing stations in the informal settlements.

As urban vulnerabilities intensify due to the COVID-19 pandemic and crisis, the goal to ensure access for all to adequate, safe, and affordable housing needs to be put into action. Access to water and sanitation is also vital. UN-Habitat is working to ensure no one and no place is left behind and to build more resilient, inclusive, and sustainable communities.

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