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Thailand Burma Border Consorum (TBBC) works in nine refugee camps along the Thailand-

Burma/Myanmar border. TBBC pursues change leading to durable soluons while ensuring a protecve envi-

ronment for displaced people of Burma/Myanmar. Our work is centred on the provision of food, shelter, andcapacity-building support for the camp residents. TBBC also endeavours to increase self-reliance and reduce aid

dependency by promong and supporng livelihood opportunies.

TBBCs presence has been exclusively in Thailand throughout the 28 years that the organisaon has been sup-

porng displaced people along the Thailand-Burma/Myanmar border. As TBBC refocuses its programme on pre-

paring refugees for a possible return, the potenal benets of TBBC opening an oce in Burma/Myanmar are be-

ing considered. At the invitaon of Minister U Aung Min from the Presidents Oce, TBBC visited Rangoon/Yangon

in early September to explore the possibility of establishing an ocial presence in Burma/Myanmar. This would

enable TBBC to work from both sides of the border in advance of any eventual refugee return and beer enable

TBBC to support reintegraon of refugees and internally displaced people into conict -aected communies. Dur-

ing the four day visit TBBC met with a range of government advisors, civil society and internaonal community

representaves.

The visit conrmed the need for improved coordinaon between humanitarian agencies on both sides of the bor-

der. TBBCs 28 years of relaonships and trust will be extremely useful in creang and supporng linkages be-

tween civil society organisaons, which is key to ensuring community

parcipaon in the planning and management of return and reintegra-

on processes. Whilst the possibility of establishing an ocial presence

inside is yet to be conrmed, the opportunity to visit Rangoon/Yangon

and the encouragement received from all stakeholders rearms TBBCs

hopes that negoang a sustainable soluon to conict and displace-

ment is a realisc objecve. Unl such me TBBC remains commied to

promong the rights of refugees and internally displaced persons to

assistance and protecon and, in parcular, to ensuring that basic ser-

vices to 140,000 refugees in camps are maintained .TBBC Senior Management meets with U Tin Oo,

deputy leader of the NLD

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www.tbbc.org

The CAN projects goal is to build community self-reliance in agriculture and nutrion, and to

improve overall availability and access to nutrious food in order to enhance refugee household

nutrion and income. A recent review of the TBBC CAN project, undertaken by Dr Julian

Gonsalves, concluded that: Community household garden allotments are probably the single

best way to prepare refugees for repatriaon...This is also a good return on donors investment, and is a clear indicaon that community gar-

dens are increasing self-reliance.

Daw Ma Tha and Daw Mangi, both widowed, say that their garden allotmentsallow them to safely earn 50 to 200 baht per day without having to leave camp

and provide enough vegetables for their families. The women believe that the

gardens contribute to both their psychological and physical well -being, adding

that they have less me to think about their problems. The gardens provide the

women with a means to buy food, such as sh and spices, and other basic

needs.

Although uncertain of what their future will hold, both women condently say

that when the me comes to repatriate to Myanmar, if they have access to

land, they will ulise their skills and grow vegetables.

COMMUNITY AGRICULTURE

AND NUTRITION (CAN) PROJECT

TBBCs Entrepreneurial Development and Grants Programme enables refu-

gees to become acvely engaged in the camp economy, develop their entre-

preneurial skills, expand their livelihood opons and increase their income.

This is achieved through developing entrepreneurial skills via training, grants

and mentoring support .

Daw Hehlet and U Teelay, residents of Tham Hin camp,ed from the mili-

tary in Burma/Myanmar in 1997. Six months ago they aended TBBCs entre-

preneurial development training and received a small grant to start a duck

raising business. They now have thirty-six ducks and have been able to ex-

pand their business to include chickens, and share their learning and experi-

ences with other duck raisers in the camp. With the support of this iniave,

the couple are able to sell their

ducks and chickens to camp resi-

dents and make a small prot.

Daw Hehlet commented that

our life in the camp has im-

proved signicantly as we no

longer have to go outside to earn

money. I hope to soon receive a

second grant and begin pig rais-

ing.

TBBCs latest programme report for the period

from January-June 2012 is now available! The

report provides extensive informaon on TBBCs

acvies during the rst half of 2012, as well as

the context on the border and inside Burma. You

can download this hereon the TBBC website.

Please make a donaon today by vising the TBBCwebsite here. Thank you for your generosity and

commitment to refugees and displaced people from

Burma.

ENTREPRENEURIAL DEVELOPMENT AND GRANTSTBBC PROGRAMME REPORT

When refugees eventually return to Burma/Myanmar, they will need to have a means to become

independent. Seng up economic acvies to ensure adequate food and livelihood security will be crucial for

refugees successful reintegraon. In addion, with the decrease in raons, more refugees are currently seeking

work outside of camp, which is a grave risk for the refugees as they are oen arrested and somemes even deported.

Now, more than ever, refugees require support to upgrade their skills and know-how to engage in meaningful livelihood

acvies. Here is an update on some of TBBCs eorts to build peoples knowledge and skills within the camps.

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