After the saffron revolution
30 October 2008
The "saffron revolution" was how it became known: tens of thousands of Buddhist monks taking to the streets of Burma in protest at the increasing poverty of their people.
A rare sight in the South East Asian country, where religious teachings discourage members of holy orders from any overt criticism of the ruling classes. But, in the words of one those who marched against the Government, "the suffering was so bad that we had to act".
Although many ordinary people demonstrated too, it was the monks' golden yellow robes that gave the events of September and October 2007 their name - a name that was heard in news reports around the world as the Burmese army moved in to stifle the protestors, using brutal force.
Emergency support
With the situation worsening, the UK Government put forward £1 million to help those affected by the violence, people who had been made homeless or left without essentials like food, water and healthcare.
Amongst the recipients of this aid were the country's monastic schools. Providers of education and housing to children from poor families, the schools are a lifeline to many in this land of some 17 million seriously poor people.
One of DFID's main objectives in Burma is to ensure that all children receive a primary education. However, international efforts to assist in the country have, for a long time, been hampered by its repressive military Government. Donors are reluctant to offer aid, fearing that the regime could indirectly benefit.
To guard against this, DFID's work on education is targeted at the schools themselves. It is the country's poorest children who have benefited from emergency support for the monastic school system and from longer-term backing for projects led by Unicef and Save the Children.
Building democracy
UK and international assistance to Burma in the aftermath of last year's unrest - and in the aftermath of the devastating cyclone that followed only months later - has gone some way to helping those in desperate need. But, with a third of the population living below the poverty line, more fundamental changes yet are required.
Although a new constitution was passed in May 2008, after a national referendum that saw a reported 99% turnout, many have questioned how democratic this constitution really is. Under its terms, which are almost impossible to amend, 25% of parliamentary seats must be held by the military.
In the run-up to the referendum, voters who planned to say "no" to the constitution were pessimistic that their votes would count. Others said they would vote "yes", hopeful that it might represent a first step away from absolute military rule.
Only in a more democratic Burma can the serious poverty be tackled that drove thousands of monks, in exasperation and outrage, to the streets last autumn. DFID continues to work with the Burmese people, civil society groups, the private sector and international charities to help to build that country.
Facts and stats
- The 2007 protests were triggered by a rise in fuel prices which drove up food and transportation costs, badly affecting Burma's poorest people. DFID provided £1 million in aid to ease the situation caused by the subsequent military crackdown.
- In May 2008, Burma was struck by Cyclone Nargis, which killed 140,000 people and injured around 20,000. To date, DFID has committed £45 million to help with the response to the disaster.
- DFID's ongoing country assistance plan in Burma will see £12 million spent this year, increasing to £18 million by 2010/11. This money will address humanitarian needs and help build the foundations for democracy in the country.
- DFID's work in Burma includes support for the Three Diseases Fund (3DF), which aims to tackle to tuberculosis (TB), malaria and HIV/AIDS. In its first year (2006/07), it helped to treat over 50,000 TB patients and 150,000 cases of malaria, as well as protecting 300,000 people from malaria with treated bed-nets.
Links
- How we fight poverty: Good government
Burma "approves new constitution" BBC News 15 May 2008
