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Webinar, burma jd mar2012
- 1. Refugees in Thailand IDPs in South East Burma Light at the end of the Tunnel? Webinar, Montreal March 2012
- 3. CHN IA Shan State BRA UM LA S O Karenni M Sai ae State M HongSon ae Karen State ChiangMai Pegu Division 1984 : Manerplaw T ALA D HI N Mon State Rangoon M Sot ae The First Kanchanaburi 10,000 Bangkok ANDAMAN S E A Tenasserim Division Refugees T n ow Capital Border Line Ranong
- 4. CHN IA Shan State BR A UM LO AS Karenni M Sai ae State M H Son ae ong Karen State ChiangMai Pegu Division Manerplaw T AL N H IA D Mon Rangoon State Burmese Army M Sot ae overruns ethnic territory Burmese Army Kanchanaburi Bangkok Advances Tenasserim Division A NDA MA N S E A T n ow Capital Ranong Border Line
- 6. Militarization One third of the Burmese Army is based in Eastern Burma
- 9. Over 3,700 villages and one million people have been displaced since 1996. 105 villages were destroyed/ relocated in 2010/11.
- 10. At least 112,000 people forced to leave their homes between August 2010 and July 2011. Over 450,000 people currently remain internally displaced in South East Burma.
- 11. Thailand Border Refugee Population 180,000 160,000 140,000 Number of Refugees 120,000 100,000 80,000 60,000 40,000 20,000 -
- 13. UNHCR’s Three Durable Solutions 1. Repatriation to Country of Origin 2. Local Integration 3. Resettlement to Third Countries
- 14. RTG Policy Towards Burmese Refugees Temporary asylum: Basic humanitarian assistance with refugees confined to camps Repatriation as soon as possible No local integration No Third country resettlement ( until 2005)
- 18. Pressure for Change: Donors • 20+ years … how much longer? • Does RTG want change? • Does TBBC want change? • Are these people really refugees? • Are we just prolonging the conflict?
- 19. Reducing support 2007 2010 2011 2012 % Cut Food basket 2,200 2,100 1,955 1,654 25 kcals/day kcals/ day Kcals/ day Kcals/ day Shelter 100% 100% 50% 50% 50 Nets, blankets, 100% New arrivals New arrivals 0 100 mats only only X-border 100,000 92,000 49,000 53,000 47 support IDPs IDPs IDPs IDPs
- 20. 19th August 2012
- 21. 2011 Democratic Reforms • Myistone dam suspended • Political parties law amended • Laws permitting labour unions and freedom of assembly reformed • Registration of NLD for April by-elections • Release of political prisoners
- 22. Government invitation for peace talks in August; suspension of the Border Guard Force in September; & new initiative led by U Aung Min, Railway’s Minister in November.
- 23. Non-state armed groups calling for peace process to include community consultations and a national political process for constitutional reform.
- 24. Initial impacts of peace processes: * decrease in skirmishes * limited containment of troop patrols * human rights abuses ongoing * proposed political process remains vague * consultations with CBOs & inter-ethnic alliances about next steps
- 25. Recent discussions 1. RTG/ NGO Workshop (9 Feb) 2. UNHCR/ CCSDPT Retreat (22/23 Feb) 3. UNHCR Briefing (16 Feb) 4. U Aung Min (10 Feb)
- 26. Key messages • Vigilance/ support needed to ensure that changes are not irreversible • Awareness of/ support needed to ensure inclusive political solution to ethnic conflict • Refugees/ IDPs are part of the solution not the problem. They must be part of reconciliation process and represent an asset for return • Need to support refugees until it is possible for them to return in safety and dignity • We have time to prepare … but for how long?
- 27. Key messages • Refugees/ IDPs are part of the solution not the problem • Time to invest, in these communities, not allow them to fall apart • Cannot be return without reconciliation • The refugees have skills in needs assessments, service delivery, M&E, management, good governance and accountability that will be and asset in facilitating return and reconstruction Thank you!