Yangon/Cologne. Today, 13 international non-governmental organisations working in Myanmar, among them Malteser International, have published an appeal for better working conditions and more support of the humanitarian workers in the country in South-East Asia. 'We, the undersigned humanitarian non-governmental organisations working in Myanmar, are saddened and deeply concerned by the recent events in Myanmar,' the statement says. 'We urge all parties to increase their efforts to address the underlying causes of the current situation.' The organisations appeal for 'strengthened public sector policies that optimise responses to the humanitarian needs of vulnerable people including increased public expenditure in health, education and sustainable livelihoods.' The recent increase in fuel prices has exacerbated the already fragile living conditions of many people in Myanmar, the organisations point out. Furthermore, they underline, that 'current social and economic policies have led to conditions which have pushed many below subsistence levels, continuously weakening existing coping mechanisms of local communities.'d many below subsistence levels, continuously weakening existing coping mechanisms of local communities.'d many below subsistence levels, continuously weakening existing coping mechanisms of local communities.'d many below subsistence levels, continuously weakening existing coping mechanisms of local communities.'d many below subsistence levels, continuously weakening existing coping mechanisms of local communities.'d many below subsistence levels, continuously weakening existing coping mechanisms of local communities.'d many below subsistence levels, continuously weakening existing coping mechanisms of local communities.'d many below subsistence levels, continuously weakening existing coping mechanisms of local communities.'d many below subsistence levels, continuously weakening existing coping mechanisms of local communities.'d many below subsistence levels, continuously weakening existing coping mechanisms of local communities.'d many below subsistence levels, continuously weakening existing coping mechanisms of local communities.'d many below subsistence levels, continuously weakening existing coping mechanisms of local communities.'d many below subsistence levels, continuously weakening existing coping mechanisms of local communities.'d many below subsistence levels, continuously weakening existing coping mechanisms of local communities.'d many below subsistence levels, continuously weakening existing coping mechanisms of local communities.'d many below subsistence levels, continuously weakening existing coping mechanisms of local communities.'

13 international and 160 local Malteser International staff work in three different places (in Yangon and in the regions Shan and Rakhine). With an integrated programme approach, Malteser International works against the constantly deteriorating situation of the most vulnerable groups. In 2006, with financial support of the German Federal Ministry of Economic Cooperation and Development, the European Commission and the United Nations, Malteser International reached around 820,000 people. Among its goals are the improvement of accessibility to primary health care services, the fight against malaria, tuberculosis and HIV/AIDS as well as the provision of safe drinking water and basic sanitation for houses, schools and health centres.

In 2001, after a comprehensive needs assessment, the analyses of the social-economical and political conditions and after consultations with the EU, the UN and the German government, Malteser International decided to help the most vulnerable people in the marginalised regions in Myanmar. One of the triggers for this engagement was the fact that by now there are more than 150,000 refugees from Myanmar in Thailand, of which 33,000 are medically assisted in the refugee camps by Malteser International since 1993.

You can find the complete text of the Joint Statement here: http://www.malteser.de/61.Malteser_International/en/61.02.News_Press/61.02.01.Press_Releases/presse2000.asp?Anzeige=Yes&Index1=936.

Further information: Petra Ipp, Senior Desk Officer Communication and Public Relations, Malteser Interna-tional, Tel.+49/221/9822-155, Fax +49/221/9822-179; petra.ipp@malteser-international.org ; www.malteser-international.org