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A significant decrease in forced displacement has been documented by community‐based
organisations in South East Myanmar after a series of ceasefire agreements were negotiated earlier this
year. While armed conflict continues in Kachin State and communal violence rages in Rakhine State, field
surveys indicate that that there has been a substantial decrease in hostilities affecting Karen, Karenni,
Shan and Mon communities.
In its annual survey of displacement and poverty released today, the Thailand Burma Border Consortium
(TBBC) estimates that 10,000 people were forced from their homes during the past year in comparison to
an average of 75,000 people displaced every year during the previous decade. While there remain at least
400,000 internally displaced persons in rural areas of South East Myanmar, the tentative return of 37,000
civilians to their villages or surrounding areas reflects hope for an end to displacement.
After supporting refugees and internally displaced persons for nearly three decades, TBBC’s Executive
Director Jack Dunford is optimistic about the possibility of forging a sustainable solution but conscious
that there are many obstacles still to come. “The challenge of transforming preliminary ceasefire
agreements into a substantive peace process is immense, but this is the best chance we have ever had to
create the conditions necessary to support voluntary and dignified return in safety”, said Mr Dunford.
Poverty assessments conducted by TBBC’s community‐based partners with over 4,000 households across
21 townships provide a sobering reminder about the impact of protracted conflict on civilian livelihoods.
The findings suggest that 59% of households in rural communities of South East Myanmar are
impoverished, with the indicators particularly severe in northern Karen areas where there have been
allegations of widespread and systematic human rights abuse.
The Special Rapporteur for Human Rights in Myanmar reported to the United Nations General Assembly
last month that truth, justice and accountability are integral to the process of securing peace and national
reconciliation. Mr Dunford commented that “after all the violence and abuse, inclusive planning processes
can help to rebuild trust by ensuring that the voices of those most affected are heard and that civil society
representatives are involved at all stages”." (TBC Press Release, 31 October 2012).....
9 documents: English full report (Zip-PDF: 22.5Mb); Burmese brochure (PDF: 8.25Mb); English brochure (PDF: 0.9Mb); English Exec Summ. (PDF: 270Kb); English-Chapter 1 (PDF: 800Kb); English-Chapter 2 (PDF: 7.9Mb); English-Chapter 3 (PDF: 9.7Mb); English-Chapter 4 (PDF: 5.6Mb); English-Appendices (PDF: 5.9Mb).....
