Refugees in ThailandIDPs in South East Burma

Light at the end of the Tunnel?

Webinar, Montreal March 2012

Chiang Mai

Rangoon

THAILAND

BURMA

CHINA

LAOS

Bangkok

Ranong

Mae Sot

ShanState

Karen State

Mon State

KarenniState

TownCapitalBorder Line

A N D A M A N S E A

PeguDivision

Manerplaw

Mae Hong Son

Kanchanaburi

TenasserimDivision

Mae Sai

1984 :

The First 10,000

Refugees

Burmese Army overruns ethnic

territory

Chiang Mai

Rangoon

THAILAND

BURMA

CHINA

LAOS

Bangkok

Ranong

Mae Sot

TownCapitalBorder Line

A N D A M A N S E A

PeguDivision

Mae Hong Son

Kanchanaburi

Mae Sai

ShanState

KarenniState

Karen State

Mon State

Manerplaw

TenasserimDivision

Burmese Army

Advances

Militarization

One third of the Burmese Army is based in Eastern

Burma

Over 3,700 villages and one million people have been displaced since 1996.

105 villages were destroyed/ relocated in 2010/11.

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.

1984

1985

1986

1987

1988

1989

1990

1991

1992

1993

1994

1995

1996

1997

1998

1999

2000

2001

2002

2003

2004

2005

2006

2007

2008

2009

2010

2011

-

20,000

40,000

60,000

80,000

100,000

120,000

140,000

160,000

180,000 Thailand Border Refugee Population

Nu

mb

er

of

Re

fug

ee

s

UNHCR’s Three Durable Solutions

1. Repatriation to Country of Origin2. Local Integration3. Resettlement to Third Countries

RTG Policy Towards Burmese Refugees

Temporary asylum: Basic humanitarian assistance with refugees confined to campsRepatriation as soon as possible

No local integration

No Third country resettlement ( until 2005)

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?

Reducing support2007 2010 2011 2012 % Cut

Food basket 2,200 kcals/day

2,100 kcals/ day

1,955 Kcals/ day

1,654 Kcals/ day

25

Shelter 100% 100% 50% 50% 50

Nets, blankets,mats

100% New arrivals only

New arrivals only

0 100

X-border support

100,000IDPs

92,000IDPs

49,000IDPs

53,000IDPs

47

19th August 2012

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

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.

Non-state armed groups calling for peace process to include community consultations and a national

political process for constitutional reform.

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

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)

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?

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!