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Burma
SNAPSHOT
Date of independence: 1948
Capital: Rangoon
Population: 50.5 million
Source: World Bank Development Indicators
CONTACTS
Mission Director
Olivier Carduner
GPF Towers, Tower A
93/1 Wireless Road
Bangkok 10330 Thailand
Tel: 662-263-7400
Fax: 662-263-7499
Desk Officer
Cheryl Jennings
Tel: (202) 712-4705
Email: cjennings@usaid.gov
Children of Burmese migrants attend a USAID-supported school along the Burma-Thailand border.
Overview
While the U.S. does not have a bilateral relationship with the Government of Burma (Myanmar), USAID promotes responsive governance, provides humanitarian assistance, and prevents the spread of HIV/AIDS among Burmese internally displaced persons (IDPs), migrants, and refugees in the 10 Thai provinces along the Burma - Thailand border. The problems of human rights violations, poverty, inadequate education and limited health care within Burma’s borders remain dire.
Although multi-party elections in 1990 resulted in a decisive victory for the main opposition party, the military junta continues to maintain political and military control in Burma. Under the current regime, social and economic conditions have deteriorated significantly. This has driven many Burmese to relocate along the Burma-Thailand border. Consequently, approximately 150,000 Burmese refugees and over a million to migrants now live in Thailand. At least another 500,000 Burmese are estimated to be displaced within eastern Burma. U.S. Government policies continue to encourage the Burmese government to engage in constructive dialogue with the democratic opposition and ultimately lead to national reconciliation.
Programs
Investing In People: Health
Health programs along the Burma -Thailand border provide basic medical care to Burmese IDPs, migrants and refugees within and outside refugee camps. They emphasize preventative and curative healthcare and provide capacity-building assistance to the Karenni Health Department, Mae Tao clinic, and other centers to provide high-quality primary health care. Within Burma, USAID supports a limited-focus HIV/AIDS program to mitigate the spread of HIV/AIDS in the country and Southeast Asia. USAID focuses on prevention activities for at-risk people, behavioral research, condom marketing, care and support of people living with HIV/AIDS, and coordination with complementary programs in neighboring countries.
Investing In People: Education
USAID provides a wide range of training and capacity building support in most camps along the Burma -Thailand border, as well as numerousmigrant and displaced communities. USAID supports education programs for Burmese IDPs and those displaced in Thailand. It provides primary education, literacy instruction, English-language training, higher education – including university and vocational/technical training – and skills development for work. Support for education also includes teacher training and stipends for Burmese community-based organizations, assistance to develop national education plans, and advocacy for inclusive education. USAID also provides scholarships and ongoing interim education to Burmese within Burma and refugees in Thailand wishing to continue their studies. USAID gives priority to students who want to return to Burma to work for democratic principles and economic
Growth.
Governing Justly And Democratically
USAID supports democracy activities that finance training for Burmese journalists and public information workers to improve the quality and availability of news and information for Burmese citizens, refugees, and exiles on the situation within Burma. USAID also supports ongoing education and democracy grant efforts in collaboration with the U.S. Embassy in Rangoon. USAID trains Burmese journalists and others who provide public information to give accurate, unbiased accounts of issues affecting the people of Burma.
Humanitarian Assistance: Migrant Rights In Thailand
USAID supports discussion efforts with the Government of Thailand to provide legal rights and services to Burmese migrants working in
Thailand.
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