TBBC: News: Complete list of TBBC's updates

News
List of TBBC's previous news updates

(Note: Regular announcements & info found on other pages, e.g., populations, eLetters; programme, nutrition, financial & IDP reports; tendering, vacancies and thumbnails which appeared on the homepage have been removed from this page)

11Nov09
Slide show: TBBC 25 years at the Thailand-Burma Border (29Mb Zipped-Mov)
This file requires Quicktime

29Oct09
Media release: Rising Instability in Eastern Burma.
Bangkok - During this sixtieth anniversary year of the Geneva Conventions, Israel’s military assault on Gaza yand Sri Lanka’s refusal to distinguish between Tamil combatants and civilians have been high profile challenges to the relevance of international humanitarian law. Out of the media spotlight, the Burmese Army similarly persists in breaking the rules of war by indiscriminately attacking civilians and causing massive displacement. Indeed, aid agencies report that threats to human security in eastern Burma are increasing. Read more.

21Oct09
In the media: A sad sad celebration
Read The Irrawaddy's special edition on TBBC's 25 years of work with refugees from Burma.

23Jul09
Border Situation Update: New arrivals in Tha Song Yang District, Thailand, due to conflict in Karen State
There has been no marked improvement in the security situation around Ler Per Her after it was overrun by the Democratic Karen Buddhist Association (DKBA) last month. Read more.

02Jul09
Border Situation Update: New arrivals in Tha Song Yang District, Thailand, due to conflict in Karen State
As the reports of fighting around the area of former Ler Per Her IDP camp continue, it is becoming clear that organized return for displaced people currently living in 6 displacement sites in Thailand is still impossible. Read more.

19 Jun09
Field day in Mae La camp to increase awareness about small scale agriculture
On 11th June, TBBCs “CAN staff” (CAN – Community Agriculture and Nutrition) organized a field day in Mae La camp to increase awareness about small scale agriculture among residents in Mae La camp. The activities brought together both young and older people, exposing many of the young to agriculture for the first time. Update from CAN Field Day in Mae La

16 Jun09
Border Situation Update: New arrivals in Tha Song Yang District, Thailand, due to conflict in Karen State
TBBC have earlier reported that an increased number of people have fled to Thailand, following several days of shelling and fighting between armed groups in Karen state, Burma.
A majority of the people who have fled to Thailand, mostly women and children, were residents of Ler Per Her IDP camp in Karen State. New arrivals are located in Tha Song Yang District, north of Mae Sot. Read more.

09Jun09
Border Situation Update: New arrivals fleeing military attacks in Karen State
An increased number of people are now fleeing to Thailand, following several days of shelling and fighting between armed groups in Karen state, Burma. The first report came on the 6th June with some 1,163 people crossing the border as a result of the fighting. As of 9th June, more than 4,000 people have come across the border. Read more.

26May09
Help us tell the story about the life on the Thailand Burma Border!
We invite you to share your best memories and experiences from the border from 1984 to present. It could be photos, slides, personal stories, prose and poems, artwork and other personal remembrances. Full details can be found in English and Thai.

03Feb09
Update: TBBC participated in a conference on alternative fuels and energy technologies in humanitarian settings.
At the conference ‘Beyond Firewood – Exploring alternative fuels and energy technologies in humanitarian settings", TBBC presented an overview of its supply of cooking fuels to the border camps since 1995 until today. The conference was organised by the Women’s Refugee Commission 11-12 December in New Delhi, and addressed the issue of women's and girls' vulnerability to gender-based violence as they collect firewood in humanitarian settings. The development of alternative sources of cooking fuel can help reduce the potential for attack, as well as it can help promote livelihood activities, a better environment and health for displaced people. Click here to view the full report. Read more about TBBC's supply of cooking fuel here.

28Nov08
Update: TBBC Family and Friends Appeal
Earlier this year TBBC launched its Family and Friends Appeal to support the refugees from Burma. TBBC expresses its sincere appreciation to everyone who has contributed. Up to date, the appeal has collected 2,880,279 baht which is equivalent to 6 months of rice for almost 2,000 refugees. The appeal will remain open until 31 December. Read more about the Family and Friends Appeal or find out how you can contribute with a seasonal gift to support the refugees from Burma here.

24Nov08
News: Karen Resettlement to USA
TBBC has received a number of responses to the observations made on Karen Resettlement in USA by Executive Director Jack Dunford, most prominently by the Refugee Council USA which represents the US Refugee Resettlement Agencies. These responses can be read here.

22Oct08
Media release: Impunity in Eastern Burma challenged.
The crackdown on peaceful protesters in Rangoon, the devastation caused by Cyclone Nargis in the Irrawaddy Delta, and a flawed referendum on constitutional change have been the focus of international attention in Burma during the past year. However, a new report by TBBC suggests that violations of humanitarian and human rights law in the conflict-affected areas of eastern Burma are more widespread and systematic than ever. Read more.

26Aug08
Update: TBBC, Family and Friends Appeal
TBBC staff, family and friends appeal passes baht 2.67 million. View appeal update in English or Thai.

08Aug08
20 years since “8888”
20 years ago, millions of people participated in mass demonstrations in cities all over Burma, demanding democracy after decades of economic mismanagement and oppressive politics. The demonstrations were crushed by the army on 18th September with thousands being killed. Around 10,000 student activists fled to the Thailand/Burma border where the first alliances were made between ethnic and pro-democracy movements. Today, most of these students have left the border areas. Yet, the 140,000 refugees from ethnic areas in eastern Burma living in nine refugee camps along the Thailand/Burma border reminds us of the brutality of this regime that still hasn’t changed. TBBC has compiled a collection of clippings from the Bangkok press from 88 and it displayed at the Foreign Correspondents' Club of Thailand throughout August. Read more: Brief history of the Thailand Burma Border situation.

17Jul08
News: Observations of Karen resettled in the USA.
In April 2008, Jack Dunford, TBBC's Executive Director, visited resettled Karen, resettlement agencies and church groups in the USA to better understand the process and problems of resettlement there. Download his notes (PDF: 105kb - 5 pages).

15Jul08
News: Art created by children on World Refugee Day
World Refugee Day was celebrated in Tham Hin camp on the 23 June. The younger population contributed with drawings. See their art work here.

03Jul08
Update: TBBC, Family and Friends Appeal
TBBC launched this appeal on 30th May when it was almost USD 7 million short of funds to feed the refugees in 2008. Cuts to refugee rations looked almost inevitable and the target set was baht 1.6 million by 30th June (USD 50,000, EUR 32,000, GBP 25,000). The response was tremendous, the appeal has just reached its target, standing at ฿1,603,042 on 3rd July. As anticipated, it also created a positive fund-raising environment encouraging other institutional donors to respond. It now looks almost certain that ration cuts will no longer be necessary in 2008. The appeal will remain open since the challenge of feeding the refugees will continue into 2009 when we will have to face a whole year of high food prices. TBBC expresses its sincere appreciation to everyone who has contributed.View appeal in English or Thai.

25Jun08
Update: Rice price crisis.
On 22nd May, TBBC was still baht 217 million (US$ 6.8 million, EUR 4.3 million) short of funding to cover basic refugee needs for 2008. Since that time the situation has improved dramatically thanks to a generous response from Donors, easing rice prices and improving exchange rates. Read more. (pdf: 65k).

06Jun08
Media release: Donors Responding to Border Food Crisis.
During the last few months the Thailand Burma Border Consortium has been appealing for attention to a pending crisis for over 140,000 Burmese refugees along the Thailand Burma border due to soaring rice prices. Just two weeks ago there was serious concern that unless a funding shortage of US$6.8 million (EUR 4.3 million) was addressed, refugee rations might have to be cut by up to one half. Read more.

30May08
TBBC, Family and Friends Appeal
Due to the drastic increase in rice prices during 2008, more funds must be raised to cover the increased cost to feed refugees in nine camps along the Thailand-Burma border. We are now challenging ourselves as staff, friends and families. We believe that our huge network of family and friends will make a difference! View appeal in English or Thai.

27May08
Media release: Struggling with Burma's Other Humanitarian Crisis.
High-level diplomacy has led to cautious optimism that Burma's military regime may ease restrictions on critically needed emergency relief for survivors of Cyclone Nargis. Out of the media spotlight, however, assistance programmes for refugees from Burma's other humanitarian crisis are in danger of collapsing unless additional donor support can be found. Read more.

07May08
Update: Nargis cyclone didn’t hit the camps
The refugee camps haven’t been directly affected by the cyclone and the damages are minor.

10Apr08
Update: Food prices threaten refugee’s right to food
The current global increase in food prices is striking hard against people who are dependent on aid programs for their survival. Rice prices have risen by over 100% this year.

01Apr08
Update about TBBC rations.
Due to further budget restrictions, TBBC will have to make additional adjustments to the original ration reductions made in December 2007. The ration update details are available in English (PDF: 155k), Burmese (PDF: 140k), Karen (PDF: 141k) and Thai (PDF: 208k).

23Nov07
Summary of main conclusions, recommendations and responses to ECHO's Sep07 audit of TBBC added to Summary of Evaluations and Studies Commissioned by TBBC since 1994.

06Nov07
TBBC Annual General Meeting 1st/2nd November 2007: Statement on 2008 budget cuts
The Membership have considered the latest projections of the TBBC financial situation through to the end of December 2008, comparing current funding expectations with the Preliminary Budget expenses and minimum reserves required to provide adequate liquidity.
If no further funding is obtained it will be necessary to set the operating budget at a level baht 172 million below the Preliminary Budget, which is a reduction of 15%. Achieving such a reduction would involve cuts which would have a serious impact on the delivery of the TBBC programme, such as:
- stop supplying soap
- stop the supply of chillies
- cut the remaining food basket by 12.5%, reducing Kcal provided by the ration to 93% of the WFP/UNHCR guideline, and protein to 86%.
- reduce ERA assistance by 12.5%
- reduce the supply of building materials by 15%
- severely cut back on food security support
- postpone livelihood and capacity building initiatives
- cut TBBC staff salaries by 5%
It was agreed that TBBC Management will immediately implement a 7% cut in the budget (baht 77 million), selecting, in consultation with staff, those where decisions need to be made quickly to achieve the saving and those that will have least impact on the well-being of the refugees.
TBBC Members will endeavour to obtain commitments to additional funding of baht 95 million by the end of 2007. Further cuts included in the list above will be implemented on the 1st January to cover any shortfall in this fundraising effort.

06Nov07
TBBC Annual General Meeting 2007: Members’ Statement, Copenhagen, 1st November 2007
For the first time, the Thailand Burma Border Consortium (TBBC) has reached the point at which food cuts for the displaced people of Burma have become almost inevitable. At its Annual General Meeting in November 2007, TBBC members were presented with an unprecedented budget shortfall of €3.5 million for 2007/2008. The impact on refugees will be drastic. Food rations will fall and shelter needs will remain unmet. For an already stressed population, this will bring nutrition standards to a level below international standards.
Around 150,000 refugees are entirely dependent on outside support for food and reducing their rations goes against humanitarian principles and human trust. Relief assistance to more than 100,000 internally displaced will also be negatively affected. We, the member organisations of TBBC are doing everything in our power to alleviate the situation and to raise the required funds.
Our thanks go to all those who have supported TBBC’s programme over the years. However the current budget situation calls for further funding at this juncture. Some additional commitments have already been pledged at the recent TBBC Donors Meeting including a particularly generous contribution from the Swedish Government and we urge others to follow this example. We call on the international community to meet the international humanitarian imperative in order to fulfil their obligations towards the displaced people of Burma. There is no other option. Time is running out and immediate action is required.
Recent events inside Burma have attracted worldwide attention and we must not forget the refugees and those internally displaced by the longest running internal conflict in Asia.

03Nov07
Website changes
TBBC has put a new face to its website and is using its new logo. The information has not changed significantly (except for the addition of TBBC's Gift Catalogue) but navigation from page to page has been made more convenient. It is still in the testing phase and changes will be made to the layout, colours, and the information presented. Some of the file names have been changed so any links or bookmarks to TBBC pages may need to be updated. Search engines will need to re-spider this website. If you have any comments, suggestions or find missing links, please contact TBBC's IT Department. Thank you.

23Jul07
Planning for the Future: The Impact of Resettlement on the Remaining Camp Population
Since 2005 the Royal Thai Government has invited Third Countries to resettle Burmese refugees from the camps along the border. Around 4,500 left in 2006 and up to 15,000 more are expected to depart in 2007. Numbers are likely to be even larger in 2008. In April 2007 CCSDPT commissioned a study of the impact of this resettlement on remaining camp services and management and the results have now been published in the consultants' report "Planning for the Future" Click here to download this 0.6Mb PDF file in English and here to download the Burmese translation of the Executive Summary. With many of the most educated and capable refugees already leaving for resettlement there are enormous challenges to be faced to sustain services and camp administration, particularly in the health and education sectors. The consultants make recommendations to all stakeholders to address these.

19Jul07
UNHCR-CCSDPT 2007-8 Comprehensive Plan-Thai translation
แผนปฏิบัติงานแบบครบวงจร เพื่อตอบสนองความต้องการของผู้หนีภัยการสู้รบ ตามชายแดนประเทศไทย/พม่า สำหรับปี 2550/2551 (PDF: 1.1Mb)

08Jun07
Studies and evaluations of TBBC
Recently a key TBBC Donor requested a summary of all the studies and evaluations carried out of TBBC. There have been 24 such evaluations/ studies since 1994 and this proved to be a very informative exercise demonstrating how TBBC has implemented almost all of the consultant’s recommendations and how this has helped TBBC to keep abreast of best practice and to develop as an organisation. Click here to review this summary. (PDF: 134k)

04Jun07
Comprehensive Plan For Assistance to Burmese refugees for 2007/8
CCSDPT (Committee for the Coordination of Services to Displaced Persons in Thailand) and UNHCR recently published a Comprehensive Plan for Assistance to Burmese Refugees for 2007/8 and presented it to representatives of the National Security Council, Ministry of Interior, 18 Embassies and other Donors at a Donor Forum on 29 May 2007.
Click here to download this Comprehensive Plan (PDF: 3.1Mb). The Comprehensive Plan is the result of a participatory process between NGOs and UNHCR, analysing trends and addressing gaps in refugee protection and services. It acknowledges significant policy concessions made by the Royal Thai Government during the last two years towards allowing refugees to be more self-reliant, but sets out the challenges faced in turning policy into action. Further detailed approvals are required from the RTG for projects to be implemented and the Donor community is urged to ensure the continuity of existing services whilst supporting new initiatives to move the policies forward.
CCSDPT/ UNHCR agencies currently spend around USD 60 million per annum and the new initiatives would add another 10% or so to these costs. TBBC's budget is currently around USD 33 million, just over 50% of the total.

07Jun07
CCSDPT 2006 Annual Health Information Report (PDF: 3.8Mb)

04Jun07
World Food Programme's review of TBBC's food aid to the Burmese refugees at the Thailand-Burma Border - October 2006 (PDF: 0.4Mb)

02Apr07
Ben Hopkins cycling from New Delhi to Istanbul to raise funds for TBBC