JANUARY to JUNE Thailand Burma Border Consortium TBBC Would Like to Thank Its Donors and Members for Their Generous Contributions and Support Expected in 2012
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PROGRAMME REPORT 2012 JANUARY TO JUNE Thailand Burma Border Consortium TBBC would like to thank its Donors and Members for their generous contributions and support expected in 2012 The Netherlands Republic of China (Taiwan) Friends and Families Of TBBC PROGRAMME REPORT JANUARY TO JUNE 2012 TBBC Key Achievements January to June 2012 Objective 1: Pursue change leading to durable solutions while ensuring a protective environment for displaced people of Burma/Myanmar. Preparedness for return TBBC has begun the process of refocusing its programme on preparedness for return rather than ‘care & main- tenance’. TBBC has facilitated meetings between the international community and non-state actors to assist information exchange and build understanding. Refugee and Camp Committees have identified six key areas for consideration with a view to return: Information, Documentation, Relief Assistance, Livelihoods, Security and Participation. Peace building support After preliminary agreements have been negotiated between non-state armed groups and the Government of the Union of Myanmar, mutual trust building and information exchange is essential to further political progress TBBC has provided logistical support for the ongoing transition from ceasefires into a broader peace process. TBBC facilitated consultations between non-state armed groups, registered political parties and civil society groups from both sides of the border about the negotiations so far and the next steps towards a political settlement. Objective 2: Increase self-reliance by promoting and supporting livelihood opportunities. CAN Programme “Community household garden allotments are probably the single best way to prepare refugees for repatria- tion... This is also a good return on donor’s investment, and is a clear indication that community gardens are increasing self-reliance”. Dr Julian Gonsalves, who undertook a recent review of the CAN project (June 2012). Gardening is contributing on average: Baht 832/month/household; comprising an expenditure saving of Baht 457/month and monthly income of Baht 375/month. Cluster members are consuming vegetables an estimated 5.5 times a week. Income Generation (EDG- Over 75% of EDGSLP participants, of whom 67% are women, are returning an average profit of 35% in all 3 SLP) camps with average daily sales of Baht 382. 46 Savings and Loans groups with 344 members have formed, saving a total of Baht 350,000 between them. Shelter Livelihoods 7,000 bamboo plants, 3,000 eucalyptus plants and 2,000 other trees were planted. 545 bamboo poles have been treated and 200 concrete posts produced, making houses more durable. Local procurement of roof thatch has provided income for refugees, improved relations with surrounding villages, saved costs and resulted in improved thatch quality. Objective 3: Ensure continued access to adequate, nutritious food and appropriate shelter while prioritising support for the most vulnerable. Community Managed Tar- Following ration cuts, CMT pilots have commenced in Mae La, Ban Don Yang, Mae La Oon and Mae Ra Ma geting (CMT) Luang, aimed at providing extra support for an estimated 15% most vulnerable refugees and removing well-off refugees from the food assistance programme. The communities have demonstrated ownership of the process and, with input from an advisory group, are developing inclusion and exclusion criteria which will be finalised through community consultations. Objective 4: Strengthen mutually accountable community – based management which ensures equity, diversity and gender balance. Karen Refugee Committee KRC 2013 Election Guidelines have been finalised. A ballot system will now be used at all levels. At the Section (KRC) Election Guidelines Committee level, all refuges over 20 years will be able to vote, regardless of their registration status. At the Refugee Committee and Camp Committee level, unregistered refugees must have lived in camp for at least five years to be eligible to vote. Evaluation of the Camp A Canadian/ Australian government commissioned evaluation concluded that the refugees’ own assessment Management Model of current camp management structure was for the most part very positive across all nine camps and across all sub-groups (minorities, women and youth). Specific concerns were identified in some camps, and areas for improvement identified more generally in all camps, but none of these put into question the viability and effectiveness of the model. Provisional recommendations include formal recognition of TBBC’s de facto leader- ship in supporting Camp Management and allocation of adequate financial resources for capacity building and operations. Objective 5: Develop TBBC organisational structure and resources to anticipate and respond to changes, challenges and opportunities. Strategy In consideration of the changing political context, TBBC has embarked on a new strategic planning process for the period of 2013-15, centred around three phases of repatriation: preparedness, return and reintegration for refugee and displaced persons. ii Thailand Burma Border Consortium TBBC JANUARY TO JUNE 2012 PROGRAMME REPORT Introduction This report describes the programme and activities of the Thailand Burma Border Consortium (TBBC) during the period January to June 2012. TBBC is currently a consortium of ten international Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) from eight coun- tries. TBBC’s main focus is to provide food, shelter and capacity-building support to Burmese refugees and internally displaced persons through community managed programmes. It also engages in research into the root causes of displacement and refugee outflows. Membership is open to other NGOs with similar interests. TBBC’s head office is in Bangkok, with field offices in the border towns of Mae Hong Son, Mae Sariang, Mae Sot, Umphang and Kan- chanaburi. TBBC’s programme evolves as circumstances change. In recent years increasing emphasis has been placed on pro- moting self-reliance of displaced people, including the support of livelihood activities. Following dramatic political reforms in Burma/Myanmar which offer the possibility of reconciliation after decades of conflict, the focus during this period has shifted to preparedness for return. TBBC works in cooperation with the Royal Thai Government (RTG) in accordance with regulations of the Minis- try of Interior. It is an Executive Member of the Committee for Coordination of Services to Displaced Persons in Thailand (CCSDPT), committed to coordination of all humanitarian service and protection activities with the other 17 NGO members of CCSDPT and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR). TBBC’s pro- grammes are consistent with the CCSDPT/ UNHCR ‘Strategic Framework for Durable Solutions’ and are imple- mented through partnerships with refugee committees, community-based organisations and local groups. TBBC is a signatory to The Code of Conduct for The International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement and NGOs in Disaster Relief, and as such, aims to be impartial and independent from any political viewpoint. TBBC and its member organisations are not affiliated with the political aspirations or foreign policies of any government, group or movement. TBBC’s advocacy work is based on the principles of International Humanitarian and Human Rights law, and is aimed at ensuring that the rights of all TBBC’s beneficiaries and stake-holders are fulfilled regardless of their race, creed, or political affiliation TBBC is a company limited by guarantee in England and Wales, Company number 05255598, Charity Commission number 1109476. TBBC’s registered office is at 35 Lower Marsh, London SE1 7RL. The TBBC budget for 2012 is Baht 1,062 million (USD 34m, EUR 27m). TBBC is responsible for raising all of its own support. Donations can be made through the TBBC website www.tbbc.org. TBBC Strategic Plan Objectives, 2009-2013 Acknowledging recent and ongoing political developments in Burma/Myanmar, TBBC’s Strategic Plan is currently under review for the period 2013 to 2015 and the programme is being reoriented in preparedness for return. This report will follow the Strategic objectives set in the 2009-2013 Strategic Plan which largely remain valid, but will be aligned with the revised Strategic Plan next time. • Pursue change leading to durable solutions while ensuring a protective environment for displaced people of Burma/Myanmar. • Increase self-reliance by promoting and supporting livelihood opportunities. • Ensure continued access to adequate nutritious food and appropriate shelter while prioritising support for the most vulnerable. • Strengthen mutually accountable community-based management which ensures equity, diversity and gender balance. • Develop TBBC organisational structure and resources to anticipate and respond to changes, challenges and opportunities. Key achievements against these objectives in the first half of 2012 are summarised in the Table adjacent. TBBC Thailand Burma Border Consortium iii PROGRAMME REPORT JANUARY TO JUNE 2012 Contents 1. Executive Summary January to June 2012 ......................................................................................................................................... 2 2. Refugee Situation January to June 2012 ............................................................................................................................................ 8 2.1. Refugee populations ..........................................................................................................................................................................................