Provide lifesaving healthcare for Burmese refugees

Since January 2026, Watsi has supported 61 life-changing health care for Burmese patients, mostly refugees living near the Burma-Thailand border. Access to healthcare remains an enormous challenge for Burmese who are impacted by conflict in the region. The civil war in the country is the world’s longest-running civil war, having persisted for nearly eight decades. Our partner on the ground helps ensure that care is available for those who need it immediately. Min* and Sanda* are among those who received urgent care with support from donors all over the world.

*Names have been changed for privacy

Min is a six-year-old boy from Burma. His family had to leave their home to escape violence in their village. Min was climbing up the ladder to enter his family’s home when he fell onto the stones on the ground below. An X-ray revealed he had fractured his elbow and needed surgery. He was in pain and was unable to perform his daily tasks. 

Min’s mother said, “When the hospital talked about money, my son started to cry, because he knew that I could not afford his treatment. He is a good boy for the family and understands our situation. He told me that he did not want to receive treatment so we wouldn’t have to borrow money.” Fortunately, with the help of Watsi’s medical partner and 18 donors from around the world, Min underwent surgery to ensure the proper healing of his fracture. 

Sanda is a 24-year-old woman from Burma who lives with her husband and son in a refugee camp in Mae Hong Son Province, Thailand. Her husband is a farmer, while Sanda is a homemaker. Sanda was pregnant and, due to a high-risk pregnancy, needed to undergo a C-section to deliver her baby. Thanks to 13 donors from around the world, Sanda was able to safely deliver her baby. 

In 2025, Watsi supported 153 life-changing health care for Burmese patients, mostly refugees living near the Burma-Thailand border. This includes emergency surgery procedures, funded under Watsi’s newly-launched Emergency Surgery Program, where selected medical partners can support more urgent care. Access to healthcare remains an enormous challenge for Burmese who are impacted by conflict in the region. Our partner on the ground helps ensure that care is available for those who need it immediately. Kan* and Nadi* are two children who received urgent care with support from donors all over the world.

*Names have been changed for privacy

Kan* is a five-year-old boy from Burma. He lives with his parents and two sisters in a refugee camp in Mae Hong Son Province, Thailand. Kan dreams of becoming a teacher, just like his mother. In November 2025, Kan was playing with friends when he slipped and fractured his arm. His father was worried, “He is usually a healthy, cheerful, and energetic child who loves running and playing with his friends. Seeing him crying from the pain is heartbreaking…” Fortunately, Kan received immediate care. He underwent surgery to reset his fractured bones and ensure proper healing. Kan said, “I am happy… I cried one day after the operation because of the pain. Now, my hand is okay, and I have no more pain.”

Nadi* is two years old and lives in a refugee camp in Thailand. Ten years ago, her parents moved to the camp to escape the fighting in their village in Burma.   Since birth, Nadi has had a hernia granuloma, causing her discomfort and worrying her mother. Nadi’s mother shared, “I worry about what will happen to her if she doesn’t have this issue fixed now. The doctors told us that we needed to go to Chiang Mai for her treatment, which would cost a lot of money.” She was relieved to learn that Nadi can be treated, allowing her to live more comfortably.