When your homeland is no longer a safe place to belong
Myanmar faces one of the worst displacement crises in the world.
Just across the border from popular Thailand tourist destinations, more than three million people have been forced to flee their homes. Many of them have been displaced for decades.
With no reliable access to education, food or employment, people who are displaced become largely dependent on aid for survival.
When the 2021 military coup took place, newly elected parliamentarians were arrested, plunging Myanmar into chaos as nationwide protests turned into a brutal military crackdown. This led to an armed resistance across the country.
Three years on and the situation in Myanmar is critical.
2023 saw violence intensify, resulting in significant civilian casualties and increased numbers of people displaced. According to the UN refugee agency, UNHCR, the humanitarian needs are exacerbated due to reduced humanitarian access, deepening poverty and devastating natural disasters. These complex, intersecting crises are intensifying the needs, impacting people’s ability to cope, and complicating the search for solutions.
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| Saw Me is a security officer in the camp where she lives. She specialises in women’s security, supporting women as an investigator into gender-based violence. Photo credit: Act for Peace |
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With tens of thousands of refugees arriving in Thailand since the coup, and 70,000 already in the camps, backing refugee leaders to improve the camps is critical.
Local organisation, The Border Consortium (TBC), has been working with refugees fleeing the conflict in Myanmar since 1984. Act for Peace has been a member of The Border Consortium for 40 years and is involved in strategy, governance, fundraising and advocacy.
Act for Peace is backing their project called ‘Lead from Within’ to build refugee leadership. This ensures they are at the centre of decision-making in camps along the Thai-Myanmar border.
The Lead from Within project provides refugees with a dignified pathway to build their leadership skills and have autonomy over the decisions that impact their lives.
“Refugees have the right, desire, and ability to manage their own affairs. When they do, the programs are more relevant, they’re owned by the community, and they have lasting impact,” says James.
The project, funded by Act for Peace supporters, focuses on supporting refugee-elected camp committees. They provide training, decision-making and leadership within the camps, as well as advocacy on local integration.
“The camp committee essentially is a professional body of refugees that gets together to allow for self-governance,” explains James.
With no end to the ongoing conflict in sight, it’s clear that long-term partnerships with local organisations focused on refugee leadership is key. We will continue to act together to provide safety in exile for our Southeast Asian neighbours escaping conflict in Myanmar.
Help refugees on the Thai Myanmar border have a safe place to belong by making a gift.
Act for Peace gratefully acknowledges the support of the Australian Government through the Australian NGO Cooperation Program (ANCP).
