Greater Mekong Subregion

Study of Health and Education Needs of Ethnic Minorities in the GMS (TA 5794-REG)

Overview

Ethnic minorities often have special health needs given their higher fertility rates, and higher maternal and infant mortality rates compared to the general population. Their health care infrastructure remains weak, with sparse facilities and lack of qualified staff. In education, ethnic minorities, which have up to 70 percent illiteracy, lag because of inaccessible schools, and inappropriate curricula. Poor education and health status, combined with limited access to capital and economic infrastructure, have prevented ethnic minority groups from taking advantage of new opportunities and benefiting from economic growth.

The need for the project stems from recognition of the similarity of problems facing ethnic minorities in the GMS. They are socially marginalized, a situation leading to lower health status, lower educational attainment, and fragile means of livelihood. Ethnic minorities face severe sociological, cultural, economic, and physical constraints in accessing social services.

Objectives and Scope

The project, approved by ADB in June 1998, was developed in order to bring to the level of decision-makers in the GMS, the special health and education needs of ethnic minorities and the strategies required to address them.

• Goals
• Expected Results

Goals

The ultimate goal is to improve the human development levels of ethnic minorities living in the border areas. The Project will:

1. Identify the constraints that ethnic minorities face in seeking access to basic social services (health and education); and
2. Identify culturally compatible strategies, approaches, and tools for improving access of ethnic minorities to health the basic education services.

Expected Results

The Project is expected to influence policy and program-level approaches to improving the social conditions of ethnic minorities in the GMS. Apart from proposed policy changes, the project will create a knowledge base of problems and issues, policies, programs and practices in countries and communities which would be fostered through exchanges and discussion of ideas, including among Government officials, NGOs, and other stakeholders.

Project Cost and Financing

Status

Completed.

For detailed information on the project, write to the GMS Unit (ADB) at the following e mail address:

gms@adb.org