Posted 08.11.25

FAMILY LINK MYANMAR ANNUAL CHAIRMAN’S REPORT 2024

As with most foreign NGOs working in Myanmar, our work has continued but with the severe restriction of not being able to visit. This is the situation pertaining since February 1st 2001 when a military coup ousted the democratically elected government.

We have followed UK Foreign Office advice not to travel as it remains very dangerous, even increasingly so.

However our monthly support has increased to cover horrendous inflation in the country, and increasing hunger in both the city area and the villages. This has meant that Do Suan Kham and Anna his wife our fellow workers, and his team of children have been able to cook once a week an enormous pot of soup with rice for about 370 people in his neighbourhood .Also he travels many hours in his old vehicle to distribute rice and oil in several remote villages.

The banking situation is increasingly vulnerable. Many banks are closed and foreign donations are heavily scrutinised. Western Union remains active but uncertain for the future.

We were also able to fund the digging of two new wells in isolated villages, providing their first clean water without a long walk. They were dug in an area that was raided a lot by the military and we just managed to finish as the village was raided and looted. The wells are still viable.

Suan and Anna were contacted by a pstor in the war zone and asked if he could take in three little children whose parents had been killed in the crossfires. We now have 55 children in our house.

Conscription is forced either by raids at night or blatantly off the streets and buses. Sadly one of our 17 year old lads was snatched when shopping and is undergoing military training upcountry. His calls home..not really permitted…are full of horrific details. As I have a contact who reports to the UN Security Council, I keep him informed of such details.

Sadly the medical situation is dire and healthcare almost non-existent. Mary, Suan’s little 8 year old daughter, developed an eye condition that is eminently treatable with the right antibiotic. Sadly she was given the wrong one and within a week became permanently blind in one eye.

On a wonderful note, one of our oldest boys graduated from university having studied online with the university in Yangon since the coup. An amazing achievement for a lad who arrived unwanted and neglected as a small boy.

We desperately miss the twice-yearly visits with children’s camps, adults’ camps and wonderful times with amazing and resilient people. They say without our help they would have no food or shelter as most work has ceased since Covid and the coup.

It is a joy and privilege to be a part of so many lives, young and old. One of our greatest contributions is the gift of hope.

Florence M Bevan

Chair

Family Link Myanmar

1165655