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Thailand Burma* Border Consortium
Thousands in Myanmar (Burma*) have been forcibly displaced after ongoing conflict between the Burmese and ethnic minorities. Approximately 150,000 of these displaced persons live in long-term refugee camps along the Thai-Burmese border.
The massive increase in numbers of refugees from 10,000 in 1984 to over 150,000 in 2007 has strained the limited food resources provided by the camps. Restrictions on growing food, trade and employment outside the camps have left the refugee population in need of supplementation in their diet.
Episcopal Relief & Development is partnering with the Thailand Burma Border Consortium (TBBC), an alliance of non-governmental organizations working together to improve conditions for refugees.
Alleviating Hunger and Improving Food Supply
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A monthly “food basket” provides all refugees with food rations to ensure all family members receive sufficient energy, protein, fats and micronutrients.
- Supplemental and therapeutic feeding and nutritional support save the lives of the most vulnerable people in the camps — children and people with medical conditions such as tuberculosis and HIV/AIDS.
- Trained camp staff identify persons at risk of malnourishment and administer therapeutic feeding formulas to prevent suffering and save lives.
- Providing lunch for nursery school students ensures that children get the nutrition they need for their growth and development.
- Refugees receive training in appropriate gardening and education on indigenous crops and nutrition, in addition to seed distributions.
- Technical support and nutrition-related educational activities are provided for refugees and health personnel in camps and nutrition status is monitored through annual surveys.
*Please note: the name Myanmar is not recognized by the US government, which still refers to the country as Burma, the name given by the British colonial government.
