BURMA (MYANMAR): human rights abuses, refugees and displaced people

Background

The Burmese people have suffered more than four decades of military repression and civil conflict since General Ne Win overthrew the elected government in 1962. In the past couple of years, the military has targeted Karen, Karenni and Shan villages along the Thai/Burma border. First, villagers are forcibly relocated and then - to prevent them returning home - their fields and homes are burnt, and their animals and food stocks taken or destroyed. Many are conscripted for forced labour and if they refuse to work or take part in the regime's campaigns against the opposition groups, they are often tortured or killed. Many people have been uprooted from their homes but are unable to settle or cross the border to Thailand's refugee camps. The military and the Thai border guards often prevent people from crossing into Thailand, so they end up hiding in the mountains or in dense jungle along the border, constantly shifting from one place to another to avoid the military. Approximately 1.5 million people have been internally displaced. Those who manage to cross into Thailand end up in refugee camps, such as those that are run by the Burmese Border Consortium, which provides shelter and food to 170,000 refugees.

Burmese Border Relief Program

The Burmese Border Relief Program is located from Sangklaburi in the south to Mae Hong Son in the North. The goal of the program is to alleviate malnutrition and food insecurity brought about by the ongoing conflict in Burma and to provide for the basic human needs of displaced persons along the Thailand/Burma border.

The Program provides a basic food basket and relief supplies including mats, mosquito nets, blankets and building supplies, poles, sheeting and cooking fuel. The TBBC coordinates activities with agencies supplying medical and education assistance through the Committee for Coordination of Services to Displaced Persons in Thailand (CCSDPT). It hopes to respond to emergencies as they occur, extending relief to new refugees arriving in the camps. Expected outcomes of the project are: the provision of basic food, shelter and emergency supplies for camp populations and new refugees crossing the border, improved health status of camp populations and adequate housing of all refugees.

Burmese Border Relief Program Support, resources, events and campaigning on Burma

• In 2007-08, CWS has been a strong supporter of the Australia Burma Network, helping to establish the network and currently housing the network in its Melobourne office.
• In October 2006, CWS hosted Burma Day in Australia to help protomote awareness of the situation in Burma and the plight of Burma's refugees and displaced people.
• In 2006, the Refugee and Migrant Sunday Parish Education Kit and the School Education CD focused on the worsening conflict in Burma. Follow the link above to download the kit.
• Donations in support of the work of the TBBC can be made via CCWS/NCCA.
• CWS also supports work within Burma. You can donate to CWS for the Burma Community Health Program, Myanmar Council of Churches (see below for a description of the program). For more information about these events and programs, contact your local state ecumenical council or CWS offices in Sydney or Melbourne.
• For groups campaigning on human rights and democracy in Burma and publications, see: www.apheda.org.au/campaigns/burma.htm
  

Burma Community Health Program

Organisation: Myanmar Council of Churches

Time Period: 1 April 2003 to 31 March 2006

Funding: $646,146