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We set out to Burma amidst disturbing reports of increasing humanitarian need. In a country that spends less on health care and education for its people than almost any other country in the world, this cannot come as a surprise. But the increasing economic mismanagement inside the country is also producing great hunger and need. One study we read claims that over 70% of a family's income goes just towards feeding itself.

The human suffering is real and there are real humanitarians on the ground carrying out life-saving work without collaborating with the government to do so. We were surprised to see the broad range of work being done inside Burma - from basic health support in clinics set up around the country, to feeding programs for the neediest, to NGO capacity-building programs that teach local organizations how to function more efficiently.

Burmese activists were happy to meet with us - in public - and discuss politics openly. NGOs discussed with us frankly about the challenges - and opportunities - that exist working inside the country. And, we found our hotel to be an accommodating space where we could place phone calls to NGOs from the lobby, openly announcing that we were calling from Refugees International. At no point did security stop us, question us, or even try to stop us from doing our work. It may be the rosy-hued glasses of a first visit to Burma, but talks with our colleagues on the ground reassured us that operating openly is not as much of a problem as it appears to those on the outside.

It is clear that working inside Burma does pose tremendous challenges. But, it is also clearer to us than ever that humanitarian work is greatly needed inside the country.

--Joel Charny

Labels: Burma