The Burmese Tragedy

December 2007 - In the grip of a military dictatorship since 1962, Burma, officially the Union of Myanmar, is completely isolated from the rest of the world. The country is endowed with extraordinary natural resources such as precious stones, hydrocarbons and rare wood. However, the population in no way benefits from the country’s redistribution of wealth, everyday life is a burden and human rights violations persist.

An Ethnically Diverse Population Plunged into Poverty

Burma’s population is composed of more than 130 ethnic minorities. The rights of these ethnic minorities are inferior to those of the Burman people and they are not recognised as citizens of the country. Ethnic minorities are the first to suffer from poverty and malnutrition. 90% of the country’s population live below the poverty line. Malnutrition is chronic in certain states including Rakhine. The lean season, the period between two harvests when food is scarce, has been particularly difficult this year. In addition, the inflation of prices last August has led to an increase in transport prices, and in rice, the staple food of the population.

The People of North Rakhine State

North Rakhine State is the most isolated, the most densely populated, and the most underdeveloped in Burma. The humanitarian situation of the Rohingyas, the Muslim population of this state, is tragic. They represent 76% of the population of Rakhine and are mostly considered stateless, as they are not granted Burmese citizenship. This minority suffers from systematic discrimination based on their ethnicity and religion. Such discrimination is manifested mainly through restricted freedom of movement, arbitrary taxes, land seizures, forced labour, and limited access to nutrition and care. In the town of Maungdaw, there are three doctors to 476,073 residents, or about one doctor to 160,000 people. Infant mortality in the state of North Rakhine is alarming. Of 1,000 children, 224 die before they are one year old. The majority of children in the region do not attend school. Their parents think it would be a waste of money since they know that their children cannot leave the province for higher education. It seems impossible for the Rohingyas to have a right to a decent standard of life. The economic crisis last August plunged even more families into poverty.

Increase in Cases of Malnutrition

Present in Burma since 1993, Action Against Hunger’s aim was to reduce the mortality rate of the more vulnerable populations in the eastern part of Rakhine. The Action Against Hunger initiative rapidly expanded throughout the region and has been complemented by food security, and water and sanitation programmes. In view of the worsening humanitarian situation and in partnership with ECHO, new programmes are being launched and the number of beneficiaries is increasing each day. In 2006 an Action Against Hunger survey found that close to 40% of children under the age of five in the North Rakhine region suffered from chronic malnutrition and close to 20% from global acute malnutrition. Today, the reality is even more tragic for the Burmese children. The lack of access to food and medical problems are the main factors of malnutrition. Entire families continue to arrive at Action Against Hunger’s feeding centres and the number of serious cases recorded in our centres in Sittwe (capital of Rhakine state) almost doubled between August and September.

TESTIMONY

Tin Htun Wun* saved by Action Against Hunger

Tin Htun Wun is a 22-month-old little girl affected by Tuberculosis, a disease that is particularly influenced by malnutrition. Tin Htun Wun receives Action Against Hunger's treatment. Tin Htun Wun’s mother has already lost two daughters to Tuberculosis. Reliving another such tragedy leaves her severely depressed. Action Against Hunger’s medical teams have thus provided her with psychological support for the welfare of her child and also to enable her cope better with the disease. Tin Htun Wun is treated at the nutritional centre, accompanied by her sister. Very quickly, the little girl has regained her appetite and her mother, distanced from the medical world, is slowly recovering. The outcome is particularly positive since Tin Htun Wun is already regaining weight.

*This name has been changed

Improving nutrition

“Diet varies a lot depending on the season, the availability of food, and on the budget devoted to food,” says Anne Dominique Israel, an Action Against Hunger nutritionist. ‘‘For the poorest, meals are rice-based mixed with dried and crushed red pepper. Some better-off families sometimes eat meat curries but they are the minority. Likewise, fish that is eaten dry is a real luxury as heavy taxes are placed on fishery products."

The number of meals per day is insufficient due to factors already cited. “Thanks to Action Against Hunger, the children receive two meals daily as well as porridge," explains Anne Dominique. "We are trying to avoid deficiencies. For lipids, we are giving them oil, and for protein, beans are very appropriate, especially for people who eat very little or no meat.”

Babies Born Underweight

The religious and cultural practices of North Rakhine State are partially responsible for the harsh living conditions of the women. They live in a very closed society in which they have virtually no access to education, and no freedom of movement. The consequences of these practices are hard on their health, nutrition and the way in which they take care of their children. Thinking they are doing the right thing, pregnant women reduce their food intake during pregnancy. They feel that in eating too much they will produce a ‘big baby’. Giving birth to a big baby can bring about medical complications and they know perfectly well that they cannot afford the hospital fees, nor even get to the hospital (they are not allowed to leave the village). They also do not eat a certain number of foods during their pregnancy: according to their beliefs, if the woman eats chicken, shrimps, pineapple, etc, the child she is bearing could be born with fever or measles. These food habits are not conducive for a healthy pregnancy, even more so when the women continue to work hard in the fields.

These numerous reasons explain why so many children are born underweight. Even after birth, new-borns have little chance of putting on weight since only few women breastfeed their children.

Hunger is a global problem in Burma. It should therefore be fought on several fronts, mainly education, health, access to drinking water and to land and ethnic discrimination. Merely fighting the population’s lack of access to food will be futile.

By Astrid Germay

Interview with Anne Dominique Israel, Action Against Hunger nutritionist

What do you remember about your experience at the nutritional centre in Sittwe?

What struck me the most was the collaboration with our Burmese colleagues during our activities They were extremely motivated and dynamic in their work. They wanted to learn new techniques, showed eagerness to discuss new ideas, knowledge and new training. Their behaviour clearly reflected their desire to help the people of their country. A great work atmosphere prevailed at the centre despite the difficult environment. I return very enriched by this experience and particularly will not forget the incredible contrast between our dynamic Burmese colleagues and the tragic and harsh humanitarian situation we experienced.

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20 September 2007- Admissions to Action Against Hunger’s feeding centres increase by 60% in just one month (Read more...)

25 August 2007-Admissions to Action Against Hunger’s feeding centres are increasing

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