Free Burma Rangers ANNUAL REPORT 2015

Photos Left: FBR Karen medics treat a Peshmerga soldier injured in ISIS mortar attack. Top right: FBR training. Bottom right: FBR team leader with Karen children at GLC program. child victims of war Young Yazidi boy in an IDP camp on Sinjar Mountain. He lost his hand and part of his arm to an exploding shell.

Burma and against the Arakan in western Burma. Even in ceasefire areas, the Burma Army has not withdrawn its forces. Also in western Burma over 100,000 of the Rohingya minority live in concentration camps. We pray for, stand with and help those left out of this process, and those under attack and oppression. In the midst of this continuing oppression and uncertainty in their country, Rangers from Burma feel the call of God to go help people under attack in Kurdistan, Sudan and other places in the world. We see the power of God in this and, as in Burma, we go compelled by His love to give help, hope and love in Jesus’ name. In 2015, we went to Kurdistan three times, providing medical training on the front lines, doing children’s programs in the IDP camps and getting the news out. We stand against oppressors, be they in Burma, Kurdistan, or Sudan, and we’re also praying for the oppressors—and asking God for love for them. No one Dear friends, is beyond redemption: Fighting evil and grounding our actions in love are practical ways towards defeating evil Thank you for all of your prayers, encouragement and uniting for a new way forward. Psalm 77:19 says 2 | 2 | Free and support that enable our 70 FBR relief teams to what I feel about how God leads us, “Your way was give help, hope, love and get the news out in Burma, through the sea, your path through the great waters; Sudan and Kurdistan, . Along with going to new yet your footprints were unseen.” Thank you for going mission areas, we have started a new foundation, Free and praying with us. The Oppressed, to support our work everywhere we go (see page 19). The name, “Free The Oppressed,” is God bless you, inspired by the words of Jesus in Luke 4:18-19: “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed Dave Eubank me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me Director to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of Free Burma Rangers sight to the blind, to release the oppressed, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.” I want to follow Jesus in this and share His love with all in need. In Burma, there are good changes with the National League for Democracy and winning the election and leading the new government. However, many people in the conflict areas could not vote and the military still controls an automatic 25% of the seats in Parliament due to the constitution put in place by the dictatorship in 2008. Attacks continue against the Kachin, Shan and Ta’ang in northern Eubank Family 3 | 2015 Annual Report JSMK medic at work. JSMK medic at lub ork in Burma and Kurdistan W Love each other. each Love freedom, for and work Unite peace. and justice hate and don’t Forgive each other. with faith, Pray Act with courage, surrender. Never edics at ield: Medics at inances Karen State. Karen ontents Information movement from the field to the rest of the world, sharing stories world, rest of the to the the field from movement Information work. at Read one storyand statistics. of GLC 21. F and about our new foundation along with announcements Our 2015 revenues support to AmazonSmile. FBR through new ways 23. Join the Movement the oppressed. free a part to become to of the movement anyone for Six ways 16. In the F changed. of FBR medics in action lives Stories and patients 17. Advocacy C and the Good Life bridge at basic ranger training. basic ranger bridge at A new Ranger learns how to cross a rope a rope cross to A new Ranger learns how Karen medic treats patients at a field clinic in at patients medic treats Karen Table of C Table chool of Medicine- ap: Burma ituation Updates: Kurdistan and Burma Kurdistan Updates: ituation Learn about new activitiesat the medical school and Learn of the staff and students treatment. receive to days sometimes travel patients where clinic in the jungle, Multiple trainings are conducted to equip the people we serve to provide help, help, serve provide equip the people we to conducted to are Multiple trainings people in need. to hope and love the Jungle S from 15. Updates 12. Responding to Need: Training Rangers, Equipping Leaders Equipping Rangers, Training Need: to 12. Responding 5. S go. we go where we why Burma and Kurdistan: SItuation from updates 10. Relief Teams M Teams 10. Relief distribution team ranger our see and Ranger, Wa 15-year-old a MeetKyaw, Ne Burma. throughout THE FREE BURMA RANGERS (FBR) is a multi-ethnic humanitarian service movement. Ethnic pro-democracy groups send teams to FBR to be trained, supplied and sent into areas under attack or in crisis to provide emergency medical care, shelter, food, clothing and human rights documentation. In addition to relief and reporting, other results of the teams’ actions are the development of leadership capacity, civil society and Free the Oppressed the strengthening of inter-ethnic unity. We are led by the words of Jesus: “The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me Our Vision to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim To free the oppressed and to stand for freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to human dignity, justice and reconciliation. set the oppressed free.” -Luke 4:18

Our Mission MOVEMENT: Rangers are volunteers. They choose to work for freedom To bring help, hope and love to people of for all people of Burma, working for spiritual freedom first, to lay the all faiths and ethnicities in conflict areas, to foundation for political and physical freedom. They go towards the attack shine a light on the actions of oppressors, to help people and they cannot run away if the people they are helping to stand with the oppressed and support cannot escape. leaders and organizations committed to liberty, justice and service. taking the MOVEMENT TO new areas: • In 2014, FBR was invited to take this model to Sudan and help the Our Objectives Nuban people under attack by the Sudanese Armed Forces. We trained 1) To inspire, train and equip people spiritually, Nuban relief teams and provided aid to those under attack. physically, relationally and professionally to

4 | Free Burma Rangers 4 | Free bring positive change through acts of love and • In 2015, FBR was invited to Kurdistan, where the Kurds are under service. attack from ISIS. We conducted four missions between 2015-2016, providing basic medical training, reporting and aid. 2) To provide immediate medical assistance, shelter, food, clothing, educational materials and other humanitarian aid in war zones and to improve logistics and medical evacuation.

3) To develop information networks that document, report and disseminate accounts of human rights violations and provide an early warning system.

4) To provide prayer and counseling for victims of human rights abuses and to support programs for women and children.

5) To train, equip and sustain indigenous humanitarian relief teams in the field. Bringing Help, Sharing Hope and Love Karen Ranger leads a GLC program in the Nuba area of Sudan, 2014. 5 | 2015 Annual Report f isis of ost c

human the This father’s 2-year-old daughter was was 2-year-old daughter father’s This seen her hasn’t ISIS. He by kidnapped years. in two From 1 January to From 2014 through the end of October 2015, UNAMI/ least 55,047 at OHCHR recorded civilian casualties of as a result armed conflict the non-international and 36,245 18,802 killed in Iraq: . wounded erving in Kurdistan We need a two-part strategy: One, to set the oppressed need a two-part strategy:set to the oppressed One, We community international the that part means first The religious respect and we ethnic means part The second the for also praying we’re and ISIS against stand We of flag the black while at looking prayers three I prayed stopped. would be ISIS 1) That would be free. area of this and all peoples Kurds 2) That change would and all enemies of ISIS hearts the 3) That name. all in Jesus’ love, to are in love actions our evil grounding Fighting and legitimacy, reinforcements, and preparation. and reinforcements, legitimacy, open and mercy and love share to two, ISIS; defeat free and change. for a way economic, diplomatic, the political, conducts immediately military needed and set actions to people humanitarian, ISIS. defeat free and each nation. of the concerns acknowledge and tensions that the injustice correcting wrongs, admitting means It ethnic to freedom give being willing to grow, to ISIS allows and mercy offer to and partnership a regional within groups members. ISIS for out a way one them. No for love God asking for ISIS—and of people soldier who once a regime Burma In redemption: beyond is people the same help to team our joined villagers murdered attacked. once he Mosul: of outside flying ISIS a new for uniting and ISIS defeating towards practical ways forward. way

It is right to stop their global acts of murder and terror. terror. and their global murder acts of stop to right is It It is right to stop ISIS and rescue the thousands of of rescue the thousands and ISIS stop to right is It We conducted three relief missions to the Sinjar area area the Sinjar to missions relief three conducted We In 2015, FBR participated in hearings with members of of members with in hearings participated 2015, FBR In If our families were held or killed by ISIS, what would would what killed ISIS, or by held were families our If issions: S Missions: International The longer we wait, the more ISIS gains in perceived in perceived gains ISIS more the we wait, longer The girls and women held as sex slaves. A Yazidi mother told told mother A Yazidi sex as slaves. held women and girls will it mean ISIS from back homes our get we “When us, dead.” are children if our nothing of Kurdistan, northern Iraq, in 2015. Our team included included in 2015. Our team northern Iraq, Kurdistan, of experience of whose Burma, shared from people the Karen the with a deep connection sparked oppression historical displaced of thousands Mountain, On Sinjar met. we Kurds which Sinjar, of the city is Below in tents. still live Yazidis coalition and U.S. with the Kurds by been liberated now has and allAmerica those thanked The who people support. air but us for just not ISIS fighting are “We saying, helping, are the world.” for the U.S. Congress, State Department and Pentagon about about Pentagon and Department State Congress, the U.S. woman Yazidi young a testified alongside We crisis. the ISIS Sinjar 2014 from in August ISIS by who been had captured raped and held was and recruit City; a ISIS sold to was she describedShe the escaping. in before months five for powerful Her people. of hundreds of murders and rapes for help for appealed She tears. to many brought testimony still captive. held who girls are 3,000 other than the more we do? We would try to rescue our families and hunt down down try hunt would and families rescue our to do? We we with and do this in justice do we how But the terrorists. has worldwide, spreading now of ISIS, reign The evil love? need to we that and all we are vulnerable how clear it made act. ISIS: The Path to The Human Cost Genocide in Iraq Bones lie on the ground at a mass grave site outside of Sinjar City. and Syria 2014 ISIS takes Fallujah in Iraq. Al Qaeda officially renounces any relationship with ISIS. ISIS takes Mosul. The assets gained from the territory ISIS has seized, including funds, oil revenues, smuggling, extortion and foreign donations, is estimated at $2 billion.

29 June 2014 ISIS changes its name to the Islamic ISIS and the Ongoing Conflict in Kurdistan State (IS), declaring a Caliphate, ISIS has stormed into the forefront of international consciousness with a naming Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi the nearly unprecedented rapidity, largely through a campaign of extreme brutality Caliph and calling on all Muslims to conducted with calculated publicity. Their narrow and radical interpretation of join. Islam, amounting to a mandate of total domination, has alienated Muslims and non-Muslims alike, essentially putting them at war with the world - while at the 3 August 2014 same time attracting an army of recruits from both western and middle eastern IS takes Sinjar City, a major center of countries. In addition to seizing large swaths of Iraq and Syria, they have claimed the Yazidi, a Kurdish religious group responsibility for terror attacks around the world. In March 2016, the U.S. considered heretical by IS. Thousands Congress and State Department agreed that the violence against Christians and are killed, more are captured, and Yazidis qualified as attempted genocide - a designation governments rarely make before the end of a conflict. In 2015, with the escalation of coalition response 50,000 people are stranded on Sinjar to the ISIS threat, the groups fighting them in Syria and Iraq/Kurdistan began Mountain.

6 | Free Burma Rangers 6 | Free to win ground back. However, the war drags on and hundreds of thousands of 8 August 2014 people remain in captivity or unable to return to their homes. US authorizes and launches air

strikes on IS positions and provides TURKEY humanitarian air drops to help those DAHUK stranded on Sinjar Mountain. ARBIL Mosul December 2014 Sinjar Arbil NINEVEH AS Peshmerga and coalition forces retake SULAYMANIYAH AT TAIMIM Mt. Sinjar, while most of Sinjar City SYRIA

remains under IS control. SALAHAD DIN IRAN DIY ALA November 2015 BAGHDAD Peshmerga and coalition forces retake AL ANBAR BABIL JORDAN WASIT the city of Sinjar. KARBALA

AL QADISIYAH MAYSAN 17 March 2016 DHIQAR Secretary of State John Kerry AN NAJAF

announces that the United States has AL BAS RAH AL MUTHANNA determined that ISIS’ actions against Iraq with Kurdistan Region SAUDI ARABIA Kurdistan autonomous the Yazidi and other minority groups in region PERSIAN KUWAIT GULF Iraq and Syria constitute genocide. Kurdish inhabited area

0 200 Km 7 | 2015 Annual Report 137 Rangers graduated in 2015 137 Rangers graduated Bringing help, hope and love Bringing help, hanging Burma Unfortunately, in areas where the Burma Army Army the Burma where in areas Unfortunately, government. Our hope is that one day there can be can there day one that is Our hope government. allcan work we that and in Burma reconciliation all. the good of for together and State Kachin as such offensives conducting is the avoid must teams the FBR State, Shan Northern those to in need. relief they as provide Army Burma killed the by were workers relief our of two Last year in May this year and State in Kachin Army Burma filmed he as shot was leaders team Kachin our of one Kachin two this Earlier year attack. Army a Burma by then murdered and tortured raped, were teachers or been has justice no there and troops Army Burma we and change of in the midst is Burma accountability. both good happening, is what you to report to want brought those who have for grateful are We bad. and with stand to also want We Burma. to freedoms greater experienced yet those not freedoms those who have still attack. under are and

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In areas where there have been improvements, been improvements, have there where areas In being part of at also working are teams FBR and try openly we can, we work to Wherever The situation in Burma is changing, in some cases in some changing, is Burma in situation The ontinuing

for the better and in others for the worse. In the midst the midst In the worse. for in others and the better for hope help, giving of mission its continues this, FBR of the situation. on a light putting and love and are teams our of some State, Karen parts as of such some established have and freely operate to able that units local with Army Burma understanding assistance humanitarian provide them to allows interference. without health care of standardization and a convergence comes change if positive that the hope with provision will then there be Burma, integrated and to a unified and for planning are all. We for health care to approach with effort united and a coordinated towards working humanitarian and health care provide all to concerned with work to offered have We Burma. in assistance and Government in the Burma in the leadership some relationships. further positive to hope develop and Army the Burma of the understanding with C 8 | Free Burma Rangers Burma in Early 2016:H Burma inEarly privileged position as representatives of minority communities it unlikely seems that EAGs continue will to enjoy the Inachieved through longer armed the struggle. term therefore, out of participation inparliamentary politics, not as something The NLD yet seen. toregards be as comingpolitical legitimacy continue process, peace the and associated is dialogue, political society.civil Whether government new the to willing be will Army, NCA signatory groups, and elements of ’s 2016 bringing together outgoing the government, Myanmar was initiated dialogue Apolitical critics expected. inJanuary NCA), NCA the far has so proved more than successful some inclusiveness (about adozen armed groups to the refused sign outgoingthe regime and Myanmar Army. Despite lack the of eight aNationwide signed Ceasefire Agreement (NCA)with have agreed to some form of ceasefire 2015, and,October in for struggling self-determination.been Most of groups these that make up more than one-third of population, the have GroupsArmed (EAGs), representing minority communities is future the of politics inBurma. ethnic For Ethnic decades, economy increase wealth their and to further influence. opportunities under open and anewly expanding Myanmar hugely influential, haveandwill hierarchy military the -remain are intimately connected to ‘crony capitalists’ -many of who on aday-to-day basis. Also, much runs which of country the Administration Department, includingministries, General the government, Myanmar the Army retains control of three key politics and economy. the Despite transition the to acivilian executive, and entrenched elites dominant inmuch of politics’ inSoutheast Asia -ahybrid regime, with an elected transition. concerns remain and Burma is far from completing its difficult credit for overseeing changes. these Nevertheless, many serious differently theand outgoing President and his team deserve president” (to her words). use Things could have worked out andsteer government policy from position the “above the nominally country’s the top position, allowing ‘the lady’ to that UHtin Kyaw, NLD’s the nominee, assume will what is Suu Kyi from becoming President, ensured her victory election last Burma was undergoing democratisation. and of violentdecades struggle repression, that it seemed at some two-thirds of electorate the voted for change. After in Burma (Myanmar) was awatershed moment. As in1990, November (NLD)inthe forLeague Democracy 2015elections An important and unresolved of transitions these aspect likelyBurma will become an example of ‘new the normal Although 2008constitution the prohibits Daw Aung San The landslide Dawof victory Aung San Suu Kyi’s National taking partial control overtaking partial areas where ceasefires continues to operate withsystematic violence, “Is thisthenew reality –civiliangovernment have beenagreed, whiletheMyanmar Army in areas where ceasefires have not been consolidated?“ ominous storm clouds on horizon. the eratherenew are many reasons optimistic to be but some also government, Myanmar Army and EAGs. As Myanmar enters a is aproblem more intractablethe than between conflicts majoritythe Buddhist population and Burma’s Muslims. This is inter-communal violence, relationships particularly between of any change of government inNaypyidaw. continuewill to sufferfrom violence and exclusion, regardless nationalityethnic communities across much of country the in areas where ceasefires have consolidated?notbeen so,If Myanmar Army continues to operate with systematic violence, control over areas where ceasefires havethe while been agreed, Is reality new the this –civilian government partial taking Hope-and-uncertainty-in-Myanmar at: http://asia.nikkei.com/Viewpoints/Viewpoints/Ashley-South- fortheNikkei Review. Asian Myanmar” That version found maybe in was and Uncertainty originallypublishedas“Hope of thisarticle conflict,political andethnic issues inBurma/Myanmar. A version analyst andconsultant, inhumanitarian, specialising peace and was written byThis article Dr. anindependent South, Ashley areas. into previously semi-autonomous nationality-populated ethnic and incursion the of government still-militarized structures against of experience and concern about land confiscation, as and logging mining, and positive benefits balanced be must have allowed greater access areas to these for industries such increased possibilities of movement. However, ceasefires the southeast Burma, are villages more experiencing and security communities inareas where ceasefires are holding. Across improvements standard inthe of living for conflict-affected government. watermarka high EAGs’ inthe leverage, political vis-a-vis the alliance with NLD. the In NCA the case, this may prove to be instead to work with co-opted elites ethnic from within or in governmentled undermine or will ignore EAGs, preferring contested by other stakeholders. Thereriskthat is a an NLD- communities to represent, seek they although is this often that were they granted under previous the government. ope andUncertainty Another and of set conflict peace issues be yet to resolved In other of parts country, the including much of Kachin groundOn the process peace the has resulted inhuge Key EAGs enjoy significant among legitimacy the that didnot NCA. the sign campaigns against EAGs those has launched military new Indeed, Myanmar the Army have little experienced respite. west, civilian populations inthe and of parts Rakhine and north inthe Naga relief team members Major Floods: CHIN AND NAGA conduct a clinic in a rural village with no access to medical care. TEAMS RESPOND Over 1 million people in Burma were affected by massive flooding that spread throughout the country during July and August 2015. This year’s rainy season saw unusually high rainfall, exacerbated by Cyclone Komen sweeping through the region in mid-July. Flashfloods and landslides destroyed roads, fields and buildings – especially in rural villages with limited infrastructure. The ability to get aid to the region was severely diminished, as road access was cut off or limited due to high waters and landslides, even two months after the worst of the rains ceased. Thousands across the nation were displaced because their homes were damaged or washed away. Over 100 people died due to the flooding, with the highest number of deaths occurring in Arakan State. The townships of Arakan State that struggled the most in the aftermath of the flooding were Minbya, Mrauk-U, Kyauktaw and Ann Townships, where a total of 463 villages were submerged. The government has declared some of these townships, along with Buthidaung and Maungdaw Townships, as disaster zones. Major flooding in Chin State. Two Chin FBR teams provided relief for people in the and Falam areas of Chin State, including the Hakha region, which was one of the most devastated flood areas, and 9 | 2015 Annual Report is one of the poorest regions in all of Burma. They provided aid, as well as lifting people’s spirits with smiles and laughter during Good Life Club programs.

Northern Burma Mali Yang 2015 Con ict Map KACHIN O ensive STATE

A relief team member receives medical aid to treat his shrapnel wound. Clash:Clash: chance chance meeting meeting between between troops,troops, resulting resuliting in in fighting.ghting. Offensive:Oensive: CoordinatedCoordinated attack attack offensives continue in shan withwith a defineda dened objectve.objective. Myitkyina Burma Army Oensives and Kachin states (30+Clashes) In October 2015 Burma finalized the National Ceasefire KIA No. 8 O ensive 10 - 45 Clashes Agreement (NCA) and in November, the NLD won the China election in a landslide, giving them majorities in both houses 46 - 80+ Clashes of parliament. Burma Army Yet, in spite of talk of peace, the Burma Army waged Air Strikes multiple military offensives against ethnic groups which Kukang have not signed a ceasefire agreement. The Burma Army O ensive also shot and killed two trying to cross a road in KNU controlled territory in Papun District in February Lashio and March, and in November 2015 the Burma Army shot Area of Report at Karen villagers trying to cross this same road. The KNU NORTH is one of the signatories of the ceasefire. On 31 December 2015 the Burma Army attacked Restoration Council of Shan State / -South (RCSS/SSA-S) troops, also a Burma SSPP signatory group to the ceasefire agreement. The Burma Army O ensive also continues to oppress civilians, support and manage the illicit drug trade and continues to occupy, expand and SHAN STATE SHAN STATE SOUTH EAST reinforce their military positions on historically ethnic lands.

70 Burma Relief KACHIN Partner: Kachin Independence Organization and Kachin National Organization Teams in 2015 Active Since: 2008 Training Since: 2011 Meet a Ranger

Ne Kyaw is 15 NAGALAND Active Since: 2010 years old, a young Wa man who had already spent time in the Burma Army before joining Shan State Army-North. When CHIN he was 13, he lived in STATE Mandalay with his uncle, CHIN who is an officer in the Burma Army. His uncle Active Since: 2010 showed him a pistol and asked if he wanted one – ARAKAN “You can have one if you join the Burma Army.” So STATE Ne Kyaw joined the Burma Army. He went to some school in the army camp and joined the troops on one mission, but never fought, staying with the supply trucks. He was given a

10 | Free Burma Rangers 10 | Free salary of about 5000 baht a month, more than many others, because of his uncle. He says, “I bought a lot of snacks with my money.” But, he says, “The Burma Army was not honest with

the people and talked about how they wanted to control all ARAKAN STATE the Shan land and take whatever they wanted.” He also saw Partner: Arakan Liberation a video documenting Burma Army soldiers attacking the Party and Arakan Army (four , burning villages, raping women. This made him unhappy. When he heard that his father was sick with TB he teams active in Kachin State) returned home. After his father died he joined the SSA-N to Active Since: 2003 help defend his people, and then came to FBR to learn better how to help his people. His family is Christian and at the training he listened especially to a pastor from Chin State who often read the Bible; this made him think more about his situation. So Ne Kyaw decided to be baptized, so he “could be a good follower of Jesus.” He would like to return = Team of 4-6 FBR Rangers to FBR training. TA’ANG Partner: Palaung KACHIN STATE State Liberation Front Active Since: 2012

SAGAING SHAN Partner: Restoration DIVISION Council of the Shan State Active & Annual Training Since: 2004 SHAN STATE

PA’OH

Partner: Pa’Oh National 11 | 2015 Annual Report KARENNI Liberation Organization STATE Active Since: 2010

KAREN LAHU STATE Active Since: 2005 KARENNI Partner: Karenni National MON Progressive Party Active Since: 1999 STATE

MON STATE Active Since: 2009

KAREN Partner: Karen National Union Active & Annual Training Since: 1999 Responding to Need: Training Rangers, Equipping Leaders FBR’s Leadership, Ethnic Unity and Relief Team training equips people under oppression to respond to the needs of their people with help, hope, and love.

Training Program Overview Tah U Wah Camp: Training Review The full training includes instruction in: Tah U Wah Camp (“White Monkey” Camp in • Ethnic Unity Karen language) is FBR’s primary training site. It • Leadership Principles adjoins the Jungle School of Medicine-Kawthoolei. • Map Reading and Drawing In 2015, FBR conducted its 12th training at Tah U • Compass Reading, Land Navigation and GPS Wah Camp. (Global Positioning System) Use • Landmine Removal WEEKS OF RANGER • Swimming and Lifesaving 10 TRAINING 31TEAMS 137RANGERS • Solar Power and Battery Management • Human Rights Violations Recording On 11 December 2015, 27 new ranger teams • Operation Order Writing and four advanced teams graduated from basic and • SALUTE Reporting advanced Ranger training. This is double the number • General Reporting of teams usually trained and we thank God for these • Video and Photography eager new rangers and the support to run this. The 12 | Free Burma Rangers 12 | Free • Medical Training teams trained this year were from nine different • Physical Training ethnic groups in Burma. Arakan, Kachin, Karen, • Rope Bridge Building Karenni, Ta’ang, Lahu, Naga, Pa-Oh, and Shan teams • Poncho Raft all trained together and began their first mission • Rappelling, together on 12 December 2015. • Good Life Club Training and Counseling Local ethnic organizations continue to feel the • Three Field Training Exercises need for improved capacity in helping their people FBR also conducts many smaller and specific and getting the news out from their areas. advanced trainings, depending on the need and 137 rangers are geared up and motivated to do availability of the organizations we work with. just that.

Ranger Requirements Physical and Moral Courage Love Ability to read and write They to have the endurance Each person strives to do this Due to the medical, to be able to walk to crisis for the love of the people documentation and other areas, and the moral courage and no one is paid. They skills needed, literacy in to be with people under still belong to their parent at least one language is attack and to stand with organizations. required. them if they cannot flee. 13 | 2015 Annual Report APRIL Leadership, Shan Advanced UnityEthnic and Relief g Training Team ST, MAY-AUGU DECEMBER SEPTEMBER- Two four-month four-month Two Medic Advanced JSMK at Trainings JUNE Training Video Advanced MARCH Chaplain Training AY M TOBER OC Kurdistan Kurdistan MAY-JUNE Team Training Team and GPS training, and GPS training, TOBER- DECEMBER TOBER-

Basic medic training, Basic medic training, Mergui-Tavoy District Mergui-Tavoy Two-month basic and Two-month advanced Leadership, Leadership, advanced

OC Ethnic UnityEthnic and Relief Basic Medic, ReportingBasic Medic, Introductory Leadership and Relief Team training, training, Team and Relief

months-long courses. months-long ranging from four-day basic first-aid trainings to trainings first-aid basic four-day from ranging BR provided training to over 500 students, students, 500 over to training FBR provided In 2015, 14 | Free Burma Rangers Basic S Training andEquipping aNew Team medics work.medics problems areas inthe our inwhich commonly presented health todesigned to treat most the 1,000 people and is specially One treat unit will approximately 1 MedicineUnit:$1,400 upplies for OneMission the IDPthe sites. to children the teams the in meet summer. They aregiven primarily help protect from sun the inthe arewhich warm winter inthe and These are long-sleeve hoodies 300 GL C S Practical Training:$2,000 Practical coaching as neeed. material inreal-time, with instructors there to provide further and go with instructors their on amission to practice newly-learned trainingPractical spans one month where teams all finishtraining maintenance. and short field several exercises.Cost includes and facilities food a variety of topics, hands-on vicinity practice inthe of camp the camp setting. It includes physical training, classroom sessions on Concept training spans two months and is provided inaprimitive C of aset maps,books, and one ICOM (hand-held 2-way) radio. camera,digital one camera, video one GPSand compass, reporting rangers asolar needs power system electronic to run equipment, one backpack, hammock, blanket, and tarp Each flashlight. team of 4-5 Equipment a uniform, Carrying (LCES), socks, Load boots, Set individualEach team member equipment personal needs including: Team Equipment: $2,000 oncept Training:$2,200 hirts: $750 hirts: Missions involveMissions hiking from villageto village, carry andRangers team members. supplies and to care take food of the transporation to move relief isCash given to teams for Transport &F most of the things they need on their back. most ofthethings theyneedontheirback. ood: $600 Mission Life Total In- Patients Seen: Under 5-years old: 83 Over 5-years old: 138 Total Out- Patients Seen: Under 5-years old: 297 Over 5-years old: 1,632

A patient arrives at JSMK via “bamboo ambulance” - this is common in this part of Karen State. Jungle School of Medicine-Kawthoolei The Hemoglobin Initiative

The Jungle School of Medicine-Kawthoolei 15 | 2015 Annual Report (JSMK) was established in 2011 to train new After demonstrating that more than 75% of medics from both the FBR and other local villagers in the area around JSMK have iron deficient organizations. anemia, widespread long term supplementation of iron and vitamins is being undertaken, alongside 2015 saw a number of significant changes deworming. In mid-2015 supplementation with at JSMK. Instead of offering the normal 1-year FBC tablets was initiated. The program included training program for new medics, JSMK education for villagers regarding how iron offered two 4-month advanced medic courses supplementation will help to make each person to increase the skills of medics who are already stronger, healthier and better able to learn. working in the field. The teaching consisted of two parts: practical and theory. In the morning Kawthoolei Vaccine Program these students attended rounds in IPD/OPD, to In 2015, after much planning and participation learn directly with each patient, and then were with the Karen Department of Health and Welfare given classroom instruction in the afternoon. and other groups and donors, the Karen Vaccination Topics studied included a more in-depth Program (KVP) began vaccination of three villages look at common illnesses, as well as important near the JSMK campus. After reaching an agreement lesser-known conditions, anatomy, more detailed with the village, medics from JSMK visit villages and physiology, and disease prevention. The lectures administer the vaccines. KVP has also contributed to numerous other prevention measures within these are based on Burma Border Guideline, the villages. Maintaining the vaccination of children textbook “Problem-Based Medical Care 1st in these villages and expanding to other villages is Edition,” and case studies. planned for 2016.

Total 24Graduates 2150Patients 16 | Free Burma Rangers IDPs and Peshmerga on front the lines. team over performed 700dental procedures for away from nearest the hospital. Additionally, our knowledge as many of parts front the line are hours andcarries litters.potentially This is life-saving movement of patients, bandages, immobilization, practice infusions on eachother, suture basic and UseMARCH, CPR, of Tourniquet, and IVuse all and women care, inemergency medical ABC, lines. In 2015,our team trained around 500men and there are on medics few embedded front the However, few of have them very training medical Peshmerga ‘regulars’ along all front the lines. received some training and are interspersed with volunteered to help fight. the ‘home-guard’These Men –and some women of –from walks life all and stopped abruptly by strong Kurdish resistance. rapidity strongholds such as Mosul, were they met F In theF rom Kurdistan, Iraq months oftreatment inareferral hospital. Shestillhasmonths ofwork to Karen medic, Joseph,training andtreating Peshmerga soldiersdefending Eliya, FBR’s chiefmedicandfrom Karen State, treats aninjured Assyrian As ISIS pushed into Iraq, with dramatic taking Naw Hser Nay Moowhenshearrived to JSMKandthenafter several ield: Medicsat completely straighten herleg. (Photo: JSMKstaff) Christian boy near ISIS-occupied Mosul.Christian boy nearISIS-occupied their peoplefrom ISIS attacks. Bottom, to left right:

Top, to left right: W ork inBurmaandKurdistan family are as they separated for time. this pray for her treatment and strength for her and her farso she displays ahappy and resilient spirit. Please outtake a her Thiswill leg. number of months, but around her lower legand gradually straighten will fixatorscrewswith andwires been placed has to manage her extended care plan. An external caring organizations and individuals joined together tocountry straighten her There, leg. solid a team of deformitythe and she was referred to aneighboring She was evaluated at JSMK where x-rays confirmed fracture until it shape inthe to started heal of a‘Z’. on it, her legbent significantly the siteat the of bone at of time the injury. the As she kept walking any care, medical no one was able and to set cast her her familyBecause lives inan area without access to fracture of her tibia, abone found lower inthe leg. recently came to JSMK with a3-year-old compound F S Karen rom JSMK, Naw Hser Nay Moo is a9-year-old who girl tate, Burma Advocacy and Outreach Information IN Information OUT FBR teams are trained to gather information with Once the information is collected, our teams work photos, videos and through interviews. Their on-the- to compile and write reports. Those reports are ground presence is crucial to getting real-time and then packaged and sent out to friends, supporters, credible information directly from conflict and crisis governments, NGOs, and media outlets. zones. 17 | 2015 Annual Report

Information in ACTION • FBR spent three days testifying before Congress and others on Capitol Hill in September 2015, on the situations in Burma, Kurdistan and Sudan.

• In August 2015 FBR produced the Podesta Report, a special video and text report, on recent Burma Army abuses, which was sent out to the US Campaign for Burma as well as multiple members of Congress.

• FBR has provided information for human rights monitoring groups and other organizations on issues Photos, clockwise from top left: including religious persecution in Burma, the correlation • FBR cameraman trains Peshmerga in videocamera use. between jade mining and military violence, government • FBR team interviews Kachin woman who was the only one to survive when the connections in opium production, use of chemical Burma Army captured her village and killed seven villagers who couldn’t escape. weapons by ISIS, and health issues and vulnerabilities in • FBR team reporting on chemical weapons attacks by ISIS near Sinjar City, Burma. northern Kurdistan. 14,226 42 Day of Prayer Web reports distributed 45 magazines printed Reports from the field the Good Life Club The Good Life Club program is the component of FBR that focuses on children's needs in conflict zones. The Good Life Club team is comprised of men and women of different ethnicities and faiths with a desire to help children, and they provide assistance to all people regardless of race, ethnicity or religion. They believe that good life is not just physical but emotional and spiritual as well, and is something God desires for all people everywhere. They try to meet the physical, emotional and spiritual needs of the different communities they visit. Even though there are team members from many faiths in addition to Christians, all agree with the possibility of abundant life even in the midst of hardship, and individuals’ ability to help share this life. The GLC is based on the words of Jesus in John 10:10: "For the thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy, but I have come that you might have life and have it abundantly." The aim of the program is to strengthen the spirit of the people, encouraging them to persevere in building new lives together with the tools of love, truth, courage, freedom and reconciliation. “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.” John 10:10

Spiritual Training: Chaplain Program Update The Chaplain Corps continues to pray for and serve our FBR teams in Burma and other locations around the world. We now have eight chaplains on our team representing six ethnicities. Our goal is to encourage

18 | Free Burma Rangers 18 | Free everyone that FBR comes in contact with to grow in their knowledge and understanding of God and to follow Him fully. This happens through Bible study, discipleship, and spiritual training. This year we have distributed many Bibles and hymnals as well as helping to build or re-build several churches. We are praying for more opportunities in the future to provide Bible training to lay chaplains across Burma. The FBR chaplains take a key role in A GLC leader teaches Karen children training FBR’s GLC counselors. about health and anatomy.

One way to help the Good Life Club is to put together children’s packs and mom-and-baby packs. These packs are then delivered to mothers and children by relief teams. SHIPPING INFORMATION MOM-AND-BABY PACKS CHILDREN’S PACKS Please send standard gift size boxes with • Small fingernail clippers • Small comb and mirror the description “household/personal goods, • 2 outfits for baby including • 2 children’s toothbrushes no commercial value” on customs form. cap, mittens, shirt (not a onesie) • 1 fingernail clipper Mark the package GLC and send via airmail and socks • 1 small toy to: • 1 teether • 1 picture of you Christians Concerned for Burma (CCB) • 1 picture of you • 1 postcard from your city or state PO Box 392 • 1 postcard from your city or with a Bible verse Chiang Mai 50000, state with a Bible verse USA: not to exceed 79 inches length/width/girth 19 | 2015 Annual Report Sinjar Mountain, where these families have lived for for lived these have families where Mountain, Sinjar stillmountain, on the of people The thousands Rangers, volunteers, and Kurdish children after a GLC program on Sinjar Mountain. program a GLC after children and Kurdish volunteers, Rangers, disappears into a tent and emerges with the brother’s the brother’s with emerges and a tent into disappears been ten now It’s Amie. is name His picture. wedding She family. his for sacrificing life died, his he since months day. thehardest was day that says rising wind-whipped, rocky, bare, is now, a year nearly northwestern of plains dusty and the brown from suddenly across out spreads City Sinjar it. surround that Kurdistan about the mountain, base of the southeastern at the plains took 2014, ISIS August In border. the Syrian 20 km from Yazidi peo- mostly fiftythousand of the home City, Sinjar tried take the mountain, to but there, stop didn’t ISIS ple. them. They before residents the city’s of thousands driving then were the top; of kilometers a few within to pushed and called the Peshmerga, Army, the Kurdish by stopped all capturing the mountain, surrounded ISIS forces. other destruction in of a swath leaving and it around the towns 40,000 IDPs than more of the majority The their wake. weeks two escaped in the first the mountain on stuck lines. the ISIS through broke push coalition when a major move to want they as did not stayed, 8,000 Yazidis Some they afraid wouldn’t were or further their homes from any family border; walk Neam’s the Syrian survive to the long closed around again ranks the ISIS them. But among was Peshmerga the continued; the fighting and the mountain there but on, held mountain of the top on alliedand fighters the outside. from help little was struggled survive to family, her and Neam including when then the winter, fall and of the drythrough months They battled didn’t. Many came. snow and rain freezing assistance Humanitarian exposure. and hunger thirst, made Sinjar and enough not was it but air, by came

Tears come to her eyes and she covers her face with her her face with her covers she and eyes her to come Tears “No. They killed my brother. He was 25. He went back back went He 25. He was brother. my They killed “No. We had heard that some of her children had been had children her of some that heard had We “Everyone ran, it was crazy, everyone in the village. crazy, was it ran, “Everyone

scarf. A group of 15 men had gone together after the first first the after together gone had 15 men of scarf. A group Neam’s try it. to made never days few food retrieve to but and killed others, with along were nephew and brother children her of One wounded. were several the group of to get food. He had no choice, we had no food here, so he food no had here, we choice, no had food. He get to food and they find killed to home our tried to back go to 16.” only he was too, nephew my him. They killed captured so are relieved when she says, “All of my children children my of “All says, when she relieved so are captured ask we Then me.” with here are children my All of it. made they together? all here are if everyone in the it, village made We couldn’t take anything, some families got separated... separated... got families some take anything, couldn’t We one no fall, but started to when the mortars 2:30am was It a is Neam away.” so all right we ran night that sleeping was in a lived family her and she children; ten of mother young a with shepherds and farmers Mountain, Sinjar village near “Therenowhere was this land. to connection centuries-old the around was all enemy The the mountain. up runto but city.” A GLC Story from Kurdistan Story from A GLC IN: SINJAR MOUNTA NEIGHBOR ON NG YOUR FINDING YOUR 20 | Free Burma Rangers matter it who is. lesson is that one the helps who you is your neighbor –no with air guns. In place this of many groups and the parties, innocent traveler (Peter), as ifon all, they shoot cue, them not afraid of attack Daesh Daesh!” the when –then, our is cast bandit inthe role. The children inunisonsay, “We’re Samaritan drama. ISIS (or are as Daesh, they known here) explain where Burma is, sing songs, Good perform the then Karen pastor. We introduce ourselves, some taking to time to say, “Yazidis way” the lead and sing with Monkey, our SuuzanneSahale, and Peter adapt aKaren language song translate. We teach “good morning” inEnglish, and “friend”. mustache, apistol and some magazines inhis belt, helps hello. APeshmerga sergeant major with agiant handlebar to know they’re them; happy to shake our hands and say our program. We’re here for and kids the by start getting findflat a spot, mostly free ofrocks thistles, and start and (of Kurdistan), and UNHCR, other organizations. We tentswall provided months ago by Barzani the Foundation distancein the is Syria. The families here live mostly in at Sinjar City and surrounding the homes; their villages, ridge looking straight down of camps, the situated on a gathered children the of one know what as we to expect do not.people The did not a daily basis. Kids programs encampments on mountain. the Most of IDPs the feel more still scattered intheir secure tent and, inearly didattack 2016,they with chemical weapons. returned as ISIS capable is still of shelling inside city the kilometers outside city. the However, few families have city of Sinar, pushing ISIS fighters backseveral lineto a new November Peshmerga 2015,the and others took back the able to break siege the and push ISIS back to Sinjar City. In 2014,with helpDecember from coalition air forces, were The Peshmerga heldallies theirand off ISIS and finally, in international as headlines aplace of desperation and misery. In area, this firefights, airstrikes, shelling, happen on Neam andher daughter duringourinterview. “[Nothing] can stop usfrom“[Nothing] being can the love of God–nooppression, no history, ordistance. ” displaced with her can return home. love here. We pray also that Neam, her family, and those all stacles, and we pray for vision the and courage God’s to be forthankful opportunity the here to be despite many ob- –no oppression,of God no history, or distance. we are So ethnicity. Neither can anything stop us from love the being – and answer the is nothing –no distance, no history, no “Whatcanseparate specifically: from us the love God?” of about action. Later Bible, inthe Paul says same the thing he wasn’t about talking location or identity, he was talking what Jesus meant about he when talked “good neighbors” – in singing. Standing there infront of children, the are they Karen team members, Monkey, Eliya and RayKaw, us lead God’s blessing on until them we again. meet three Our it Samaritan is areal-life Good story. They are Yazidi, alliancethiswiththeand Peshmerga is new, fight:in the “We fightwill wedieuntil to get our back.”city of Peshmerga, the were from all Sinjar City and joined to be don’tThey know if he is dead alive.or soldiers, These part took city, the along thousand with several other hos- tages. are here and fathers are on all frontlines. the here with families. their say, The leaders the yes, mothers old, and there are few adults around. very We are ask ifthey camps. The children are all young, mostly under 12 years praying for them. help and secondly, that many people around world the are first,that loves God them can alwaysthey and ask Him for of colored representing beads gospel the to remind them, lesson. We share about God’s love and give abracelet them laugh at drama the and crowd around for care health the We finish our programwith a Karensong praying We dothree programs on Sinjar, inthree different The children aren’t shy singthey with – enthusiasm, captured his uncle they when was visiting his father. ISIS had and met a12-year-old boy who kilometers offfrontlinethe soldiers at acheckpoint afew End ofaGLC program Mountain. onSinjar Earlier we interviewed the the Earlier we interviewed Introducing: Free the Oppressed Thank you so much for your love and support for the ministries of the Free Burma Rangers (FBR), Christians Concerned for Burma (CCB) and all of our other ministries in Thailand, Burma, Sudan and Kurdistan. Thank you too for your prayers, love and encouragement for our teams and families. To support all of these ministries, in 2016 we started our own 501 (c)(3) tax-exempt foundation called Free The Oppressed (FTO). Free The Oppressed is inspired by the words of Jesus in Luke 4:18-19: “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight to the blind, to release the oppressed, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.” Full fiscal sponsorship is now through FTO and not Thai Christian Foundation. Make your check payable to Free The Oppressed and send it to the address below. You no longer need to designate the funds for FBR since FBR is a core part of FTO, but you may designate a specific project on the memo line of your check if you prefer. For questions or more information, please feel free to contact Dave or Karen Eubank, or the following individuals:

Dave Eubank Jim Geisz Wes Price Hosannah Valentine

FTO CEO FTO Chairman FTO Accountant FTO Administrator 21 | 2015 Annual Report [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected]

Donations can be mailed to: Free the Oppressed PO Box 912938 Denver, CO 80291-2938 Donations may also be made online at www.freeburmarangers.org

Walking through the city of Sinjar after it was liberated from ISIS.

Arakan Ranger at GLC program in Karen State. 2015 FBR Financial Report 11% Transportation & Training Center FBR is funded by donations from $91,969 individuals, churches, and other organizations from all over the world. We are encouraged by and grateful for all of those who give to support the work of FBR. 13% Administrative $116,558 FBR uses both Thai Baht and U.S. Dollars in its operations. The numbers here reflect the totals 2015 Total Revenues 3% Advocacy in USD using the 2015 average $28,200 conversion rate of 34.25 baht per $1. $864,161 8% Communications & Reporting $66,519 54% Relief 2% Education $463,786 $17,577 6% Gifts & 3% Facilities & Training Center 22 | Free Burma Rangers 22 | Free Support $51,358 $28,194

To give a financial gift, please send your check, made payable to Free The Oppressed, to the address below. Thank you for your prayers, love, encouragement and support!

Mailing Address: Free the Oppressed PO Box 912938 Denver, CO 80291-2938

Our EIN is 47-4648581. Donations may also be made online at www.freeburmarangers.org. 23 | 2015 Annual Report te ap G

the ca advo a a m Bur r fo an ma Bur team of ome Sunday of March. The The March. of Sunday rs in angers nd c be relief ef Reli r fo R people un ur time our and FB ent vem Mo

a R a k: R Book: a More r y unteer Request vol r an Sponsor the r fo Pray Organize Learn next Global Day of Prayer for Burma is 12 is Burma for Prayer of Global Day next to or information more 2017. For March email: magazine, Prayer of a Day order [email protected] in the Gap Rangers of copy Get your To several the story read of Rangers. and to: go materials, request www.freeburmarangers.org Become a part of the team and great things things great and Become the team a part of happen. can [email protected] It costs approximately $6200 to train and and train $6200 to approximately costs It Rangers. of team one equip [email protected] Races have been held in 21 different beenin 21 different Races held have on 3 countries, in 6 different locations, ski- a include events Offshoot continents. climb-for-relief. a and for-relief www.runforreliefburma.org or workplace school, in your Advocate For government. your with and church, to: go information more www.freeburmarangers.org Join in the Global Day of Prayer for Burma Burma for Prayer of in the Global Day Join every the 2 on year e th n Joi [email protected] please email us at: For more information on how you can join the movement or for more information on any of these ways to get involved, get involved, to of these ways on any information more or for can join the movement you on how information more For “The biggest change that happened to me in the training is that now I want to be the one that relies on God every day.”

These are the words of one of our new rangers, a Karen woman named Naw Say Nay Paw, after she was baptized in our camp. She and three other new rangers who are from four different ethnic groups, asked to be baptized after our FBR relief team training. One is a Wa boy who at 13 years old was in the Burma Army as a child soldier and then left to help his peo- ple. Another is a Lahu woman who said something changed inside her at the training and the fourth is a Karenni man who told us “I will try my best to be a better person.” The Free Burma Rangers train people of many races and religions and have team members who are Christian, Bud- dhist, Animist, Muslim and no religion. We are like family with all welcome, but for many of us, we are followers of Jesus and share with all the rangers who Jesus is to us. We bear witness to how He has changed our lives and invite them to pray to Jesus and ask Him for help. Spiritual training is a foundational part of FBR training and, thanks to the witness for Jesus and example of many of the trainers and the action of God in their lives during the training, some rangers decide to be baptized after completing FBR training each year. Even though there are many different faiths, all desire to bring help, hope and love by encouraging first spiritual freedom and then, what we believe is a fruit of spiritual freedom, political freedom. Thus the aim of the FBR training is to strengthen the spirits of the Rangers, encouraging them to persevere in building a new Burma with the tools of love, truth, courage, freedom and reconciliation. For us we find the source of all these to be God and we encourage all rangers to seek Him.

For more information visit: www.freeburmarangers.org

Contact us by email at: [email protected]

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