The Impact
The Impact On Health, Education And Human Rights Is Devastating
Disease
Burma has one the world’s worst health care systems, with some of the highest rates of malaria,
tuberculosis, AIDS, dysentery, diarrhea and
other communicable illnesses in the world.
In the ethnic conflict areas of Burma, the government provides no healthcare.
15% of children die
before their 5th birthday, mostly from illnesses that are easily
preventable. Malaria accounts for nearly half of all deaths. 1 in 12 expecting
mothers will
not survive pregnancy.
Malnutrition
Food is considered a fundamental human right. Yet the ruling elite systematically denies food to
the civilian population of Burma. The UN World
Food Program estimates that 18% of households
lack access to enough food to meet their dietary needs and 27% of children under the age of 5
are chronically malnourished enough to stunt their growth.
Illiteracy
Internationally, education is regarded as an indispensable human right. In Burma, however,
it is inaccessible to most people. The ruling elite
understands that education is dangerous
to their maintenance of power and control: when people are educated they question the
government
and demand their rights. According to the United Nations, overall Burma ranks
164 out of 168 countries for public expenditure on education.
Education opportunities are
almost nonexistent in ethnic areas of Burma.
Gender Inequality
Women and girls face disadvantages in Burma. Forced displacement exposes refugees,
migrants and internally displaced persons, especially
women and girls, to additional
risks and exploitation. Violence against women, especially rape, sexual assault,
abduction, forced prostitution
and sexual slavery, are caused by conflict and poverty.
