THE DEBATE OVER AID AND ENGAGEMENT“Humanitarian aid in Burma is key. Capacity must be built inside the country and along the border [by agencies based in Thailand] and meet along the middle.” – An aid worker in Thailand Almost 18 years have passed since the events of 1988 when the military brutally suppressed the democracy movement in Burma. Following these events, most countries cut off bilateral aid to Burma with the rationale that aid would have little positive impact under the current system and would reinforce the military regime, undercutting the struggle for democracy. In principle, bilateral sanctions have excluded humanitarian assistance, but in reality this area has been reduced dramatically as well.51 Moreover, multilateral institutions like the World Bank and Asian Development Bank are not providing any direct financial assistance to Rangoon; lending and technical assistance from the banks stopped in 1986-1987.52 Since 1988, the humanitarian situation in the country has continued to deteriorate with people experiencing increased levels of disease, poverty, malnutrition, low education attainment and human rights abuses. Although few deny that the country is in crisis, the issue of providing international aid inside Burma as long as the military regime is in power remains contentious.
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Main Page Executive Summary Introduction Types of Displacement and Conditions of the Displaced Population Humanitarian Response Inside Burma The Debate Over Aid and Engagement Rationale for International Assistance Inside Burma Towards a More Effective Response to Internal Displacement Refugees International's Recommendations --------------- Acknowledgements Glossary Notes |
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Ending the Waiting Game: The Debate Over Aid and Engagement
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