Myanmar 9-1-1: Train & Equip Emergency Medic Teams

The 20 emergency medic teams supported by this project have been continuing their work, delivering emergency care to the 65,000 villagers dispersed in remote locations across Eastern Myanmar.

A recent tragedy underlines the need for mobile emergency care services in this region.

On the 25^th May, a group of Karen villagers were travelling in Karen State, Eastern Myanmar, about two kilometers from the border with Thailand. At approximately one o'clock in the afternoon, a member of the group stepped on a landmine. The blast killed a six year old girl. Three other members, including a young boy of twelve, sustained serious chest injuries, One of these, a young man in his late twenties, also lost both of his hands. One further victim lost his left eye, and a sixth member of the group sustained minor injuries.

The injured were rapidly transported across the border and admitted to hospital in Thailand and no further lives were lost.

This is the grim reality facing the hundreds of thousands of villagers, many of them displaced, who live in these disputed regions where, until very recently, civil war raged. Recent ceasefires and an ongoing peace process between the government of Myanmar and ethnic armed groups are undoubtedly positive developments and mean that people can now move more freely in Eastern Myanmar. However, this greater freedom of movement also exposes people to an increased danger from the landmines that litter this conflict-ravaged region.

Community Partners Interational (CPI) and our partners remain committed to ensuring that mobile emergency medic teams can continue deliver lifesaving services to people in this region.

Thank you very much for your support to date. Please consider making a donation to help these medics to continue their lifesaving work.