Webinar, monreal mar2012
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Transcript of Webinar, monreal mar2012
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
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1987
1988
1989
1990
1991
1992
1993
1994
1995
1996
1997
1998
1999
2000
2001
2002
2003
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2005
2006
2007
2008
2009
2010
2011
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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!