Dear supporters,
On December 2022, our team embarked on a mission to visit refugees on the India-Myanmar border, where many have fled to escape the violence. We focused on surrounding villages that have taken people in but have largely been ignored by humanitarian efforts to date.
Solo mothers, children and the elderly were a common sight in the villages. The deficit of men was noticeable - many young men have been killed in the violence or arrested under suspicion of assisting resistance groups. Others were working hard to make whatever money they could to support their family.
Living conditions were harsh, with families huddling in cold bamboo structures without solid walls, struggling to keep warm on the cold winter nights. They had very little as a result of having to flee their original homes, to the point where communal kitchens were necessary as many had no containers of their own to cook in.
Our visit was timed for mid-winter in that region which is on the colder side of Myanmar. we managed to distribute essentials such as food, cooking oil, clothes and blankets for the winter to 262 families across seven different camps. A visit to an additional area (Tlangpi) had been planned, but a stop on the way had been bombed by the army just two days before we were to travel through the area. The bombing took innocent lives, including teenage males and females. The risk was too great, and the trip to that area was cancelled.
The first aid kits donated by Red Cross NZ and Triple One Care were also distributed, providing much-needed medical supplies across the camps. We distributed reusable feminine hygiene products donated by Days for Girls with our supplies, addressing an urgent need that was more significant than we initially anticipated.
We are incredibly grateful for the donations we received from our 54 generous donors to date. In just 11 months, you have helped us raise a total of $4,972, with some extremely generous donations from some individuals. Your contributions have made a tremendous impact on the lives of those suffering in Myanmar.
A special thanks also to organisations that made an effort to get supplies to those in need by donations and support to us, including
- Red Cross Nelson
- Days for Girls Nelson
- Triple One Care
- Nelson Mail, running a story about our efforts and bringing publicity to it.
While the challenges faced by the people of Myanmar are immense, we want to share some powerful stories that demonstrate the difference your support has made in their lives. Over the next few days we will post updates with some of these stories.
As we continue our efforts to help those in need, we are more determined than ever to provide aid and assistance to those suffering from this ongoing crisis. We have planned another trip for the last quarter of this year, and if you are interested in joining us, please get in touch. Please share our cause with your friends and family, and consider donating again to help us make an even bigger difference.
Thank you for your compassion and generosity.
Sincerely,
Sue Leya
On behalf of the Crisis-in-Myanmar Team
