FOCUS
Alleviating Hunger

MDGs ADDRESSED
MDG 1: Eradicate extreme poverty and hunger
MDG 4: Reduce child mortality
MDG 6: Combat HIV/AIDS, malaria and other disease
MDG 8: Create a global partnership for development

OVERVIEW
Since the 1980’s, thousands of people in Myanmar (Burma*) have been forcibly displaced after ongoing conflict between the Burmese and ethnic minorities. Approximately 150,000 of these displaced persons, predominately members of the Karen, Karenni, and Mon ethnic groups, live in overcrowded, unsafe refugee camps along the Thai-Burmese border.

When the camps were first established in the 1980’s, refugees were able to grow their own food and conduct trade across the Burmese border to supplement their food sources. The massive increase of numbers of refugees from 10,000 in 1984 to over 150,000 in 2006 has strained the limited food resources provided by the camps. Since refugees are no longer permitted to leave the camps for employment or trade, they have no way to get additional food supplies.

Our PARTNER
Episcopal Relief and Development is partnering with the Thailand-Burma Border Consortium (TBBC), an alliance of non-governmental organizations working together with displaced people of Burma. TBBC began implementing a food distribution program three years ago to ensure those living in the refugee camps were receiving adequate nutrition after rations were reduced, and limitations were placed on the ability to earn income to purchase food across the border.

Our CURRENT PROGRAMS
Restrictions on growing food, trade and employment outside the camps have left 100% of the refugee population in need of supplementation in their diet. Many who are already malnourished need therapeutic feeding—specially enriched meals with additional protein, fat, vitamins and minerals—to restore their health. In addition, an increase in the number of refugees has strained resources. Episcopal Relief and Development’s partnership with TBBC is preventing hunger by supplementing the refugees’ food supply.

Alleviating Hunger
Episcopal Relief and Development is providing essential food and nutrients to all refugees, while training people to watch for and treat malnutrition among the most vulnerable, especially children, pregnant women and the chronically ill.

• 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 saves 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 identifies persons at risk of malnourishment and administers therapeutic feeding formulas to prevent suffering and save lives.
• Lunch support for nursery school students ensures that children get the nutrition they need for their growth and development.