WHY USAID/OTI IS IN BURMA

The United States recognizes Burma’s recent reform efforts as the most significant opportunity in decades to engage with the people of Burma and their government in the pursuit of democracy, peace and human rights. Burma faces complex, simultaneous and multi-dimensional transitions: from authoritarian rule to democracy; from armed conflict to peace; and from a centrally managed, planned economy to market-led economic policies. The country is emerging from isolation to integrate into the regional and international community. In late 2015, eight ethnic armed groups and the government signed Nationwide Ceasefire Agreement (NCA), followed by peaceful parliamentary elections, which resulted in a landslide victory for the opposition. The new government led by the National League of Democracy will take power in the spring of 2016.

USAID/OTI’S MISSION

In support of US foreign policy, OTI seizes emerging windows of opportunity in the political landscape to promote stability, peace, and democracy by catalyzing local initiatives through adaptive and agile programming.

USAID/OTI’S ROLE IN BURMA

USAID/OTI seeks to deepen and sustain the reform process and foster legitimate, inclusive peacebuilding processes. To achieve this goal, USAID/OTI’s work in Burma focuses on the following objectives:

• Enhance the ability of key stakeholders to engage in the peace process;
• Facilitate public engagement in the reform process;
• Reduce the influence of drivers of inter-communal conflict; and
• Enable survivors of explosive remnants of war and persons with disabilities in conflict-affected areas to participate in social and economic life