| The Free Burma Rangers, better known simply as | | | | abuse documentation, compass navigation, water and |
| FBR, began humanitarian relief missions into the | | | | ropes courses, and ways to strengthen ethnic unity. |
| war-torn country of Burma (now called "Myanmar" by | | | | FBR goes on foot, crossing rivers and mountain |
| the ruling military junta) in 1997. The team risks their | | | | ranges, which demands great physical and mental |
| lives taking in food, medical supplies, and educational | | | | strength. All supplies and medical aid must be carried |
| materials to the more than one million internally | | | | in on their backs sometimes walking 15 hours a day |
| displaced people (IDPs), who have been forced to | | | | to stay ahead of the Burmese Army and reach the |
| flee their villages leaving them shelter-less and stuck | | | | innocent victims of the war. |
| foraging for food while hiding in the jungle. Many of | | | | Though the teams operate under the protection of |
| these once self-sustaining farmers now rely on the | | | | the ethnic resistance armies, they refuse to run |
| assistance of the Rangers for their survival. The | | | | away if the people they are helping come under |
| Burmese army randomly attacks villages in remote | | | | attack. This level of solidarity and dedication never |
| areas where various ethnic groups live. The natives | | | | goes unnoticed. Sometimes more important than the |
| re-build temporary sites when possible but always live | | | | assistance is the hope they bring. Their presence |
| with the fear of another attack. | | | | alone offers encouragement to the IDPs reminding |
| Once a prosperous developing nation, over fifty | | | | them they have not been forgotten. |
| years of civil war has left Burma one of the poorest | | | | Besides basic medical care, the rangers are equipped |
| countries in the world. Resistance fighters from | | | | to perform extensive operations when needed as |
| different ethnic groups try to defend their land and | | | | many land mine victims they encounter require limb |
| people but they are hugely out-numbered and lack | | | | amputations. Other minor surgeries including tooth |
| the support needed to regain control of their areas. | | | | extractions are also performed, often with little or no |
| FBR also maintains a close relationship with people | | | | anesthesia. |
| who have fled the war and are now living in refugee | | | | When a team arrives at a specific location, they are |
| camps in Thailand. They are faced with another set | | | | briefed by locals as to the threat level of any |
| of problems as most are unable to work legally and | | | | Burmese army in the area. They then immediately |
| have become part of a stagnating culture. Many of | | | | set up a mobile clinic and word quickly spreads that |
| the children born in the camps do not even realize | | | | help has arrived. People with various medical |
| they have their own culture and land which has been | | | | conditions line up calmly and those most critical are |
| stolen from them. The camps are crowded and often | | | | always treated first. During each mission, which lasts |
| lack in sanitation with as many as 50,000 people living | | | | between 1 and 2 months, more than 1000 patients |
| in extremely close proximity to one another. Those | | | | are treated and thousands more are assisted in many |
| who do manage to find work often become abused | | | | ways. |
| by employers and are unable to report violations due | | | | In the beginning, supplies lined the basement of a |
| to their illegal status. They also run the daily risk of | | | | safe house in Thailand and the entire operation was |
| being arrested and possibly sent back to the very | | | | run by 5 people out of that space. They now have |
| danger they fled from inside Burma. | | | | an extensive network of volunteers based both in |
| The original FBR team was made up of 4 soldiers | | | | Thailand and abroad working 365 days a year to |
| from the Karen and Karenni ethnic groups who | | | | further their cause. |
| wanted to make a difference and saw a need to | | | | That one team has grown into over 100 with almost |
| help their fellow countrymen who struggle to live on | | | | 50 full time FBR teams now active throughout Burma. |
| a daily basis. These "humanitarian commandos", as | | | | They have treated over 350,000 patients and helped |
| they are often referred to, were originally | | | | more than 750,000 people. FBR is in continuous |
| approached by a Christian missionary desperate to | | | | contact with government leaders around the world |
| address this crisis. Though many members are | | | | and give reports and updates about the situation |
| Christian, all faiths are welcome and the group is | | | | inside the country. This inspiring group receives |
| committed to bring aid to all people in need | | | | generous donations from foreign individuals touched |
| regardless of ethnicity and religion. | | | | by their amazing courage and contribution to the |
| Since its inception, the team has expanded by holding | | | | people of Burma. |
| yearly intensive training sessions enabling multiple | | | | If you are interested in donating to the cause, or for |
| teams to provide relief reaching different areas | | | | more information about the Free Burma Rangers, |
| simultaneously. Various skills are taught during the | | | | please check out their website: www [dot] |
| training program including leadership, human rights | | | | FreeBurmaRangers [dot] org. |