Children on the Edge
  • DONATE
  • WHO WE ARE
    • A Child Rights Approach
    • Meet the team
    • Contact Us
    • Media
  • WHAT WE DO
    • Bangladesh: Education for Rohingya refugee children
    • India: Education for 'untouchable' Dalit children
    • Uganda: Transforming slum communities
    • Uganda: Early Years Education for Congolese refugee children
    • Kachin State Myanmar: Support for displaced children
    • Bangladesh: Community Schools for slum dwelling children
    • Lebanon: Education for Syrian refugee children
    • India-Nepal border: Education for children in brothel communities
  • SUPPORT US
    • Receive our news updates
    • Trusts & Foundations
    • Fundraise for us
    • Take on a challenge >
      • 12,000 Steps Virtual Event
      • London Marathon
      • Brighton Marathon
      • Ride London >
        • Ride London Application Form
      • Chichester Half Marathon Event
      • Great South Run
    • Organise an Event
    • Fundraise at Work
    • Clubs & Faith Groups
    • Schools
    • Volunteer
    • Shop
  • Latest stories




​
​LATEST STORIES

DONATE

Burma: An end to civil war?

19/1/2012

 
Picture
The news of the release of political prisoners in Burma on 13th January came a day after the announcement of a ceasefire with the Karen ethnic group. The international media have been praising Thein Sein for these steps and many of our supporters have been asking us whether these changes will have an impact on our work with displaced children both within and on the borders of Burma.

While Children on the Edge welcome these steps towards democracy, the reports on the ground until recently have been showing that ethnic cleansing has actually increased. Our director Rachel Bentley says “Burma is not a democracy yet, it’s more of a possibility than it’s ever been, but these are just small steps towards change. Our hope is that the recent ceasefire agreements with various ethnic groups will hold, but only time will tell”.

Representative of the Karen National Union, Bwa Bwa Phan has described how the number of people forced to flee their homes has doubled in the past year from around 70,000 to almost 150,00. The use of rape, even against children by the Burmese army has increased. She also tells stories of unarmed villagers being exectuted, schools mortar bombed and aid being blocked to the internally displaced.

At a presentation in London, Jack Dunford of the Thai Burma Border Consortium described how the media coverage of the recent moves by the government is actually having an adverse affect on the refugee community from Burma. Seeing the news headlines, donors are making the assumption that the troubles are over, and that displaced peoples can return to a peaceful and democratic homeland. Consequently financial contributions are falling. 

So it is this situation that the children we work with are living in, not a situation that is on the cusp of being resolved. Even if and when there is genuine political change and significant moves towards peace, we will be investing our efforts into the returning refugee community who form such a fundamental part of the fabric of Burma. We will support them to rebuild their lives, homes and communities.

Please find out more about our projects for children in Burma as well as those that have fled to Thailand, India, Bangladesh and Malaysia. Your ongoing support is invaluable. 



Comments are closed.
    SIGN UP
    ​FOR OUR
    ​E-UPDATES

    Categories

    All
    Ambassadors
    Bangladesh
    Burma/Myanmar
    Chichester
    Chichester Half Marathon
    Child Participation
    Child Sacrifice
    Early Childhood Development
    Fundraising
    General
    History
    Hope
    India
    Kachin
    Kyaka II Uganda
    Lebanon
    Refugees
    Rohingya
    Schools
    The Body Shop At Home
    #ThrowbackThursday
    Uganda
    UK
    Volunteer

    Archives

    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013
    October 2013
    September 2013
    August 2013
    July 2013
    June 2013
    May 2013
    April 2013
    March 2013
    February 2013
    January 2013
    December 2012
    November 2012
    October 2012
    September 2012
    July 2012
    June 2012
    May 2012
    April 2012
    March 2012
    February 2012
    January 2012
    December 2011
    November 2011
    October 2011
    September 2011
    August 2011
    June 2011
    May 2011
    April 2011



    RSS Feed

How we help

Protecting Child Rights
Current Projects
Our History
Annual Report 

Get Involved

Regular Giving
Fundraise for us
Take on a Challenge
Corporate Partners
Volunteering
Grant Giving Organisations

News

Latest News
​Receive our news updates
Media

DONATE

How we spend your money
Donate now

More

Jobs
Contact Us
Resources
Chichester Half Marathon

Shop

Meet the team
​Privacy Policy
Accessibility
Logo which says 'Registered with Fundraising Regulator'

Registered charity no. 1101441
REGISTERED COMPANY No. 4996130 

​Children on the Edge, 5 The Victoria, 25 St Pancras, Chichester,  West Sussex, PO19 7LT, UK.
  • DONATE
  • WHO WE ARE
    • A Child Rights Approach
    • Meet the team
    • Contact Us
    • Media
  • WHAT WE DO
    • Bangladesh: Education for Rohingya refugee children
    • India: Education for 'untouchable' Dalit children
    • Uganda: Transforming slum communities
    • Uganda: Early Years Education for Congolese refugee children
    • Kachin State Myanmar: Support for displaced children
    • Bangladesh: Community Schools for slum dwelling children
    • Lebanon: Education for Syrian refugee children
    • India-Nepal border: Education for children in brothel communities
  • SUPPORT US
    • Receive our news updates
    • Trusts & Foundations
    • Fundraise for us
    • Take on a challenge >
      • 12,000 Steps Virtual Event
      • London Marathon
      • Brighton Marathon
      • Ride London >
        • Ride London Application Form
      • Chichester Half Marathon Event
      • Great South Run
    • Organise an Event
    • Fundraise at Work
    • Clubs & Faith Groups
    • Schools
    • Volunteer
    • Shop
  • Latest stories