Description:
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:
"This report covers the period January ? December 2016. It outlines progress based on the Strategic
Directions for Thailand and Burma/Myanmar 2013-2017. TBC?s programmes reached over 210,000
men, women, and children ? 100,000 in nine refugee camps in Thailand, and 110,000 in 24 townships
in SE Burma/Myanmar.
After the National League for Democracy?s landslide victory in 2015, the new government was
sworn in at the end of March 2016. Myanmar?s fi rst civilian president in over 50 years took up offi ce
and a State Counsellor position was created for Aung San Suu Kyi with a portfolio that included
foreign affairs and peacebuilding. NLD representatives were appointed as Chief Ministers in all
States and Regions.
The 21st Century Panglong Union Peace Conference (UPC) was held in August with participation
of seventeen ethnic armed groups (EAGs). The conference raised a wide range of issues however,
observers felt that little substantive movement occurred, highlighting the fact that the negotiation of
a true peace will be a lengthy process.
State-based Joint Ceasefi re Monitoring Committees (JMC) were created in Shan and Karen States
as well as Tanintharyi Region with representatives from the ethnic armed groups, the Tatmadaw,
Government, and civil society.
However, confl ict escalated in Kachin and Northern Shan States resulting in over 120,000 people
currently internally displaced. In Northern Rakhine State, a UN human rights report concluded
that widespread violations against the Rohingya population indicated the very likely commission
of crimes against humanity, resulting in 66,000 people fl eeing into Bangladesh and 22,000 being
internally displaced. In Karen state, escalation of confl ict between the BGF and the DKBA led to the
displacement of over 5,000 civilians and dampened hopes for an increase in refugee return during
the dry season.
In Thailand a referendum on the new constitution was passed in August, consolidating the National
Council for Peace and Order?s power. On October 13th, His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej
passed away and the Royal Thai Government announced an offi cial mourning period for one year.
The general election was further postponed to 2018.
Bi-lateral talks on return of refugees were held between the Government of the Union of Myanmar
and the Royal Thai Government and in October, the fi rst 71 refugees returned under a UNHCR
facilitated voluntary return.
At the end of December 98,745 refugees remained in camps; 5,237 departed for third country
resettlement, some 2,300 spontaneously returned to Burma/Myanmar, and a further 1,050 were
reported as seeking work opportunities in Thailand.
TBC programmes highlighted return planning within an undefi ned timeframe, while continuing to
ensure that limited resources were targeted to the most vulnerable in the communities. A Food Card
system was piloted in two camps in place of in kind food assistance, increasing diversity in the diet
and giving refugees more control over their resources.
Expenses for 2016 were THB 736 M, compared to a budget of THB 754 M, refl ecting various
downsizing/cost cutting measures that were implemented and commodity prices for most food and
cooking fuel supplied were less than expected. TBC?s operating budget for 2017 is THB 701 M(USD 20 M)"
Source/publisher:
The Border Consortium
Date of Publication:
2017-04-04
Date of entry:
2017-04-05
Grouping:
- Individual Documents
Category:
Language:
English
Local URL:
Format:
pdf
Size:
7.94 MB