Donate to end Dependence for Refugees

We recently visited the projects REI supports on the Thai-Myanmar border. We met with teams from the Addiction Treatment programme; Karenni Social Development Centre (KSDC) and Maternal Health workshops for new mothers in displaced communities in Karen state Myanmar.

Each organisation is facing its own version of the same challenge: adjusting to funding cuts, which is an issue affecting communities far beyond this region. People living in the camps no longer receive the regular food rations they once did, and services previously covered by international NGOs now come at a cost. Families are having to make up the difference through day labour or by borrowing from one another.

The Addiction team continue their work in three areas but have had to cease treatment cycles in two camps. However, in both camps the previously trained teams are continuing their community work as volunteers. The treatment funded by REI in one camp continues and is going well.
KSDC have started the current academic year with 87 students enrolled in the Basic and Advanced courses. Their alumni support the classes as well as working in the camps and in IDP areas.
The Maternal Health programme is reaching more beneficiaries as we were able to increase the funding.

At times like these the strength of community becomes so clear - the value placed on their wider network matters more than ever. Alumni from earlier years are passing their knowledge on to others, helping shape their communities in meaningful ways.
Their resilience remains as evident as ever, a powerful reminder that your support creates change that lasts.
You can be proud to be a donor for REI.