Myanmar

Myanmar, the world's second largest opium producer, continues to witness a significant decline in opium poppy cultivation. The Government's plan is to make Myanmar opium-free by 2014. UNODC has led initiatives to provide poor farmers, who suffered as a result of rapid opium eradication, with food security and alternative livelihoods. The impoverished rural communities require renewed support to cope with the loss of income from opium, and the frequent shortages of rice. This loss of income has also brought with it a host of related issues such as human trafficking and increased drug use. Coordination framework UNODC's Wa Project (pdf) in the Mong Pawk District under the Kokang and Wa Initiative (KOWI) facilitates the engagement of new partner organizations into the region. The KOWI partners include government departments, United Nations organizations and national and international organizations. Notably, Aide Medical International and Malteser International have supported health activities while the World Food Programme has provided emergency food relief. The Government of Myanmar, UNODC and other UN organizations have agreed on a framework for the transition from emergency relief to sustainable development in the Wa region covering the 2008-2011 period.