Provide lifesaving healthcare for Burmese refugees

by Watsi
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Provide lifesaving healthcare for Burmese refugees
Provide lifesaving healthcare for Burmese refugees
Provide lifesaving healthcare for Burmese refugees

Project Report | May 26, 2026
Provide lifesaving healthcare for Burmese refugees

By Kimmy Coseteng | Program Advisor

Min, a six-year-old boy from Burma
Min, a six-year-old boy from Burma

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. 

Sanda and her new baby
Sanda and her new baby
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Organization Information

Watsi

Location: San Francisco, CA - USA
Website:
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Project Leader:
Mackinnon Engen
San Francisco , CA United States

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