6 Strategic Directions: From Evidence to Action The preceding analysis shows that multidimensional poverty in Myanmar is not only widespread but highly differentiated, by geography, by the interplay of structural and contextual drivers, by shock accumulation, and by the dimensional composition of deprivation. Similar poverty levels can arise from fundamentally different combinations of constraints, and similar interventions will not produce similar results across these contexts. Four strategic directions follow from this evidence. Each corresponds to a distinct analytical finding; together, they point toward responses calibrated to the specific poverty dynamics identified in this report rather than to aggregate headcount figures alone. The evidence points to four strategic directions: 01 02 03 04 42 Differentiated geographic targeting: severity and scale require different responses. Where poverty is deepest, intensive and targeted engagement is needed; where it is most numerous, broad coverage approaches are appropriate. Area-based recovery or household investment: matching the response to the driver. Where contextual pressures dominate, restoring markets, services and mobility is the primary entry point; where structural disadvantages dominate, investment in livelihoods, education and employment addresses the foundations of deprivation. Strengthen livelihood and community resilience to compounding shocks. Address the specific pathways through which economic, conflict, natural hazard and health shocks translate into deprivation, recognizing that humanitarian, recovery and development responses need to run simultaneously across contexts. Programme to the deprivation profile, not the headcount alone. Use the dimensional breakdown of the MPI to identify whether service restoration, human capital investment or livelihood support carries the greatest leverage in each context. LAYERS OF DEP RIVATION : Mu ltid im e n s io n a l Pov er t y i n M y a n m a r