The Free Burma Rangers, better known simply as FBR, began humanitarian relief missions into the war-torn country of Burma (now called "Myanmar" by the ruling military junta) in 1997. The team risks their lives taking in food, medical supplies, and educational materials to the more than one million internally displaced people (IDPs), who have been forced to flee their villages leaving them shelter-less and stuck foraging for food while hiding in the jungle. Many of these once self-sustaining farmers now rely on the assistance of the Rangers for their survival. The Burmese army randomly attacks villages in remote areas where various ethnic groups live. The natives re-build temporary sites when possible but always live with the fear of another attack.
Once a prosperous developing nation, over fifty years of civil war has left Burma one of the poorest countries in the world. Resistance fighters from different ethnic groups try to defend their land and people but they are hugely out-numbered and lack the support needed to regain control of their areas.
FBR also maintains a close relationship with people who have fled the war and are now living in refugee camps in Thailand. They are faced with another set of problems as most are unable to work legally and have become part of a stagnating culture. Many of the children born in the camps do not even realize they have their own culture and land which has been stolen from them. The camps are crowded and often lack in sanitation with as many as 50,000 people living in extremely close proximity to one another. Those who do manage to find work often become abused by employers and are unable to report violations due to their illegal status. They also run the daily risk of being arrested and possibly sent back to the very danger they fled from inside Burma.
The original FBR team was made up of 4 soldiers from the Karen and Karenni ethnic groups who wanted to make a difference and saw a need to help their fellow countrymen who struggle to live on a daily basis. These "humanitarian commandos", as they are often referred to, were originally approached by a Christian missionary desperate to address this crisis. Though many members are Christian, all faiths are welcome and the group is committed to bring aid to all people in need regardless of ethnicity and religion.
Since its inception, the team has expanded by holding yearly intensive training sessions enabling multiple teams to provide relief reaching different areas simultaneously. Various skills are taught during the training program including leadership, human rights abuse documentation, compass navigation, water and ropes courses, and ways to strengthen ethnic unity. FBR goes on foot, crossing rivers and mountain ranges, which demands great physical and mental strength. All supplies and medical aid must be carried in on their backs sometimes walking 15 hours a day to stay ahead of the Burmese Army and reach the innocent victims of the war.
Though the teams operate under the protection of the ethnic resistance armies, they refuse to run away if the people they are helping come under attack. This level of solidarity and dedication never goes unnoticed. Sometimes more important than the assistance is the hope they bring. Their presence alone offers encouragement to the IDPs reminding them they have not been forgotten.
Besides basic medical care, the rangers are equipped to perform extensive operations when needed as many land mine victims they encounter require limb amputations. Other minor surgeries including tooth extractions are also performed, often with little or no anesthesia.
When a team arrives at a specific location, they are briefed by locals as to the threat level of any Burmese army in the area. They then immediately set up a mobile clinic and word quickly spreads that help has arrived. People with various medical conditions line up calmly and those most critical are always treated first. During each mission, which lasts between 1 and 2 months, more than 1000 patients are treated and thousands more are assisted in many ways.
In the beginning, supplies lined the basement of a safe house in Thailand and the entire operation was run by 5 people out of that space. They now have an extensive network of volunteers based both in Thailand and abroad working 365 days a year to further their cause.
That one team has grown into over 100 with almost 50 full time FBR teams now active throughout Burma. They have treated over 350,000 patients and helped more than 750,000 people. FBR is in continuous contact with government leaders around the world and give reports and updates about the situation inside the country. This inspiring group receives generous donations from foreign individuals touched by their amazing courage and contribution to the people of Burma.
If you are interested in donating to the cause, or for more information about the Free Burma Rangers, please check out their website: www [dot] FreeBurmaRangers [dot] org.
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