The following Situation Update was received by KHRG in May 2016. It was written by a community member in Dooplaya District who has been trained by KHRG to monitor human rights conditions. It is presented below translated exactly as originally written, save for minor edits for clarity and security.[1] This report was received along with other information from Dooplaya District, including one interview, 400 photographs and two video clips.[2]

May 15^th, 2016

Situation update from Kawkareik Township, Dooplaya District

1. Education
2. Healthcare
3. Business activities
4. Armed groups activities
5. NGO support

Education

Regarding the education situation of Kawkareik Township, Dooplaya District, most of the schools are situated in rural areas. The majority of children are able to study in those schools. Some villages are very close to Thailand, so some children could go to a Thai school. Some religious organisations, and other organisations, try to send school teachers to the villages that are near to the border [between Myanmar and Thailand], in order to teach the children. For example, the organisation ‘Save the Children’ built schools in villages to improve the education situation. Therefore, students can study in the school without any problem. The Karen Education Department (KED)[3] cooperates with other volunteer groups to develop the schools [within Kawkareik Township]. The Burma/Myanmar government also tries to send their school teachers to rural areas. Thus, the education situation in Kawkareik Township is as good as in other areas. I [KHRG researcher] saw that by myself.

Healthcare

[Compared to other areas] the healthcare situation in Kawkareik Township, Dooplaya District, is not very bad. There is no particular sickness in this area. The healthcare situation has improved because the healthcare organisations try to help the villagers in their own places [operation areas of the healthcare organisations]. Some healthcare organisations are from the Burma/Myanmar government and some are from the KNU government, and they work near to the Thai-Myanmar border. Also, Shoklo Malaria Research Unit (SMRU) from Thailand came and helped the villagers inside Burma/Myanmar. Free Burma Rangers (FBR) and Back Pack Heath Worker Team (BPHWT) also come to the villages to help people with their health. The local villagers do not suffer as much with ill health when a lot of healthcare groups give help in the villages. The healthcare situation in other areas is as good as in Kawkareik Township

Download this update in English HERE.