Civil society in Burma faces a devastating blow: What we can do

Since the military coup in 2021, Burma has endured escalating violence, displacement and food insecurity. Civil society organizations have responded with courage, providing health care, documenting human rights abuses and building democratic governance structures from the ground up.

But now, many of these groups—including some we directly support—are facing a new crisis: the collapse of international funding.

In July, we hosted a live virtual conversation with Sam McGavin, Inter Pares executive director and Burma program manager, to discuss the far-reaching consequences of recent international aid cuts, particularly the shutdown of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), on civil society organizations in Burma.

The dismantling of the U.S. aid system has cut $8 billion of foreign aid globally, with an estimated $130 million lost for humanitarian work in Burma alone. Health organizations, media groups and human rights defenders that we work with across the country have been hit hard. Some have lost up to 80 per cent of their budgets. 

Health care providers we support who serve more than half a million people, have seen their procurement and training budgets slashed, threatening access to medicine, supplies and skilled personnel. Media groups can no longer train journalists or adapt to the internet blackouts imposed by the junta in the middle of the civil war. Human rights organizations are losing their ability to monitor abuses and engage international actors.

The impact is even more severe in refugee camps along the Thailand-Burma border. The Border Consortium (TBC), which provides food and shelter to more than 110,000 refugees, has lost its primary funder and is now forced to cut food aid to 90,000 people. The International Rescue Committee (IRC) is also shutting down health services in seven of nine camps.

But there is hope. Here are three ways you can help the people of Burma:

Talk to your MP

• You do not need to be an expert on Burma to advocate for Canada's leadership on Burma. Tell your MP you care about what’s happening in Burma and that they should join the group of MPs and senators who care about it too (formerly the Parliamentary Friends of a Democratic Burma), when it re-forms in the fall. We regularly engage with this group, and we need it to be as big and strong as possible. 

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• The people of Burma need international friendship more than ever. Being informed and raising awareness is key to people taking action when the opportunity arises.  

Donate to Inter Pares

• Inter Pares continues to support more than 70 local organizations in Burma, working in healthcare, journalism and human rights. Donations from people in Canada are more vital than ever to ensure we can remain a reliable partner. Donate now:

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Burma’s civil society is resilient. But the loss of international support is a devastating blow in an already challenging period. They need our friendship, advocacy and solidarity now more than ever.