The International Labour Organization (ILO) just started a project to help people in Myanmar rebuild their lives after a massive earthquake hit the country earlier this year, according to official statement. The program launched in Inle Lake on August 19 and will hire local workers to fix schools, health centers, roads, and water systems damaged by the disaster. Japan’s Social Safety Net fund is paying for the work, with extra money from ILO’s own budget. The project aims to create more than 25,000 decent work days over eight months. At least 30 percent of those jobs will go to women.
A 7.7 magnitude earthquake struck central Myanmar on March 28, 2025, causing huge damage across 58 townships. More than 17 million people got affected, and over 9 million are dealing with serious hardship right now. The disaster hit a country already struggling with political conflict and economic problems. Many communities lost basic services like schools and clinics that people depend on every day.
ILO’s Enhanced Livelihood Recovery and Community Resilience Project will use local workers and locally sourced materials to rebuild what got destroyed. The approach follows ILO’s Employment Intensive Investment Programme, which focuses on creating jobs while getting infrastructure work done. Workers will get training in construction, maintenance, and project management through the program. Village Development Committees will also learn new skills they can use for future projects. “This initiative is to mitigate the impact of conflicts and earthquake disasters on workers and enterprises,” said Kaori Nakamura-Osaka, ILO’s Assistant Director-General for Asia and the Pacific.
The project tries to connect immediate disaster response with longer-term development goals. Instead of just bringing in outside contractors, ILO wants to build local capacity so communities can handle future challenges better. The focus on women’s participation reflects recognition that disasters often hit women hardest, but they also play key roles in community recovery.
For humanitarian workers and development professionals, this shows how labor-focused approaches can work in post-disaster settings. Rather than just handing out aid, the project gives people jobs rebuilding their own communities. It’s the kind of program that addresses immediate needs while building skills and resilience for the future. The eight-month timeline suggests ILO wants to move fast while the need is urgent, but also take enough time to do quality work that will last.
