The role of diaspora in supporting health system resilience in fragile and shock-prone settings: Myanmar country report
This working paper examines the contribution of the Burmese health diaspora to the resilience of Myanmar’s health system during periods of political instability and humanitarian crisis. It explores how diaspora communities contribute through financial, human and social capital, the factors that shape their engagement, and the implications for health system resilience.
Owing to the limited availability of reliable quantitative data and the challenges of conducting research in post-2021 Myanmar, the study draws on a review of published and grey literature alongside nine key informant interviews with diaspora health professionals, representatives of diaspora organisations, and stakeholders with expertise in Myanmar’s health system.
Report findings
- The Burmese health diaspora is a diverse and highly committed transnational community comprising long-established migrants, recent refugees, health professionals, and humanitarian actors united by a strong commitment to supporting Myanmar.
- Diaspora contributions extend well beyond remittances and include:
- Financial capital through household remittances, humanitarian fundraising, philanthropic donations, and support for health facilities and workforce development.
- Human capital through telemedicine, specialist clinical care, online education, mentoring, workforce training, mental health services, and the provision of medicines and medical supplies.
- Social capital through trusted professional networks, institutional partnerships, advocacy, and coordination between diaspora organisations and local actors.
- Following the 2021 military takeover, diaspora engagement shifted from formal collaboration with government institutions towards informal engagement with frontline health workers, ethnic health organisations, and various community groups.
- Digital technologies, particularly telemedicine and online learning platforms, have enabled diaspora health professionals to continue providing healthcare, technical support and training despite conflict and geographical barriers.
- Diaspora engagement is motivated by strong emotional ties to Myanmar, professional responsibility, solidarity, and a shared commitment to supporting communities affected by conflict.
- Trust is the key enabling factor underpinning effective diaspora engagement, facilitating informal funding mechanisms, humanitarian logistics, and collaboration with local partners operating in insecure settings.
- Significant barriers remain, including:
- insecurity and conflict;
- restrictive legal and professional accreditation requirements in host countries;
- fragmented diaspora;
- limited funding and organisational capacity to scale activities;
- challenges in safely transferring funds and medical supplies.
- Participants perceived diaspora contributions to strengthen several dimensions of health system resilience, including:
- governance and coordination;
- health workforce capacity;
- continuity of service delivery;
- logistics and supply chains; and
- health financing.
Further information
This report is part of a wider study – The role of the diaspora in supporting health system resilience in fragile and shock-prone settings
There’s more from the ReBUILD team in Myanmar here.
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