The Jesuit Myanmar Mission provides rice bags to needy families in Taunggyi township in Shan state. (Photo: Myanmar Jesuits)
The Jesuits in Myanmar, like other religious, are responding to the Covid-19 crisis by offering aid, especially to the poor and vulnerable.
In the early stages of the pandemic in March, the Jesuit Myanmar Mission established a task force and made contact with local authorities, monasteries and community-based organizations to identify those most in need.
They responded with 10 food distributions in four squatter areas of Yangon, one in Taunggyi in Shan state and in IDP camps in Myitkyina in Kachin state. Each of the distributions reached 500 or more households.
They are now focusing on helping families look to the future and build simple livelihoods by supplying small loans to purchase tricycle taxis, sewing machines or cooking utensils. The aim of the microcredit scheme is to give families the chance to help themselves.