The FBR helps to support Ranger-49 missions that providemedical care, educational supplies, food and other aid to InternallyDisplaced Persons (IDPs) in Karen State, Burma. In addition toproviding medical care, seeking to improve education, counseling,instilling hope and distributing much needed supplies, Ranger-49 alsodocuments the human rights violations they encounter. Trips arefilmed, photographed and documented in the hope of raising awarenessof the desperate plight of IDPs. The Ranger 49 team consists of youngKaren leaders who hope to serve their people during a course to buildtheir capacity as servant leaders. Along with the delivery of reliefand documentaion of the situation, the mission also served as trainingfor the young Karen student leaders.

The Relief team travelled to Paan District, Karen State, EasternBurma.

The journey to XX Village took six hours.  The team arrivedat 3 p.m.. Special caution was required as the team approached thevillage as the Burma Army had planted land mines planted nearby.

 

 

XX Village locals are mainly Buddhist. Most work long hours,morning to evening in paddy fields cultivated in the mountainssurrounding their village. There are no health facilities or schoolsin the village.

 

Treatment and medical distribution began early in themorning.

 

The main illnesses treated were malaria, diarrhea, worms, acuterespiratory infection and various types of skin diseases. Most ofthese problems can be avoided or easily treated but IDP lack access tomedicine and treatment, knowledge of basic health care and without anyfacilities most cases worsen.

 

 

Gifts such as soap, shampoo, tooth brushes, mirrors, hair brushesand small plastic toy cars were given to children. They also had anopportunity to do some art and crafts with the team; coloringpictures, molding shapes and figures from play doh and making plasticbeaded bracelets.

 

 

 

Releif team left XXXX Village at 11 a.m.. The walk to XXX Villagetook four hours. The team arrived at 2:30 p.m..

The people of XXX Village has a population of 120 mainly Buddhistand Christians. Again the locals in this area live in very similarconditions to those in XX village, with no health care or educationalfacilities.

 

Medical treatment was provided and gifts were given out in themorning.

 

Releif team left XXX Village, releif mission complete.

CONCLUSION

Overall, this mission was successful in providing some temporary relief, but it is still obvious that much more aid and support is needed.

IDPs are generally unaware of their rights and without basichealth care and education for both adults and children they face anuncertain future.

The villages visited on this mission are in close proximity toBurma Army bases. These people live daily with this knowledge, fearingan attack at any time.

One key to combating the situation in Burma is raising awareness. Ranger-49 missions greatly rely on the support of people in the international community. On this particular mission, the gifts and some of the medical supplies handed out to the villagers were provided by a journalist and photographer. The villagers welcomed Ranger-49 and their team and were extremely grateful for the help they received.

ENDS