In Solidarity With the People of Myanmar

It is like going back in time! Since the military coup in Myanmar in early February, we have been experiencing so many déjà vu. So many things seem all too familiar from the period before 2010; the indiscriminately beating and killings of unarmed civilians including many children, the brutal crackdowns, refugees fleeing the airstrikes, the communication problems and frequent power cuts, etc. The main difference is that in the past the atrocities were mostly targeted at ethnic minorities living along the country’s peripheral borders. However, this time the Myanmar military and police attack anybody, who objects the military coup including the Bamar (Burmese) people who live in the middle of the country and populate the two largest cities of Yangon and Mandalay. As a result, the people of the Golden Land have never been more united than now to fight a common enemy.

Despite the people’s unity and determination, the future of the country hangs in the balance and nobody can predict the outcome of this ongoing conflict. And although there are many uncertainties, there is one thing that we are sure of; Child’s Dream will continue supporting the people of Myanmar, no matter where or how. Compared to our humble start 18 years ago, today we are much better equipped to help with our own strong local Child’s Dream team as well as many trustworthy grassroots organisations we work with.

We are fully committed to our health and education programmes in Myanmar as long as our partners are able to implement them. Our vast network of partners throughout the country is equally resolute to maintain their service to our beneficiaries. Many programmes have already been delayed by covid-19 and are now facing security concerns. Only a few programmes had to temporarily halt their activities while others relocated to safer areas or switched to online classes. Our partners especially the ones in ethnic areas have experience in working under adversary conditions and are very resilient and adaptable.

Besides our normal commitments in Myanmar, Child’s Dream has already started some emergency relief support to people affected by the military coup including internally displaced persons (IDPs). We also expect thousands of new refugees arriving in Thailand. We are currently providing food, shelter and medical support through our local network in Kayah, Kayin and Kachin State. Given the current dramatic circumstances we anticipate an accelerating need for humanitarian assistance over the next couple of months.

While the interventions by the international community are mostly toothless and often symbolical, we feel that it is our obligations to step up our support to the people of Myanmar. In order to do so, we need your help, as most of the support are unbudgeted emergency expenses.

During the last ten years of democratic progress Myanmar has seen an increase of life expectancy by 3.5 years. The GDP rose from USD 49.5bn to USD 76.1bn while the population living above national poverty line increased from 57.8% to 75.2%. During the same period gross enrollment rate in secondary schools improved from 48.1% to 68.4%. Some of this progress has already been undone by covid-19 and is now permanently threatened by the military coup.

The people of Myanmar know what is a stake here and that is why they are determined to put the military once and for all into its rightful place. They deserve our steadfast support in their struggle for a worthy future.