Philippines to meet with Myanmar ethnic nationalities; Surge in hate speech against Rohingya in Malaysia

UN says Thai jobs for Myanmar refugees a ‘model’ for Asia

More than 5,500 refugees from Burma living in camps along Thailand’s border have found jobs since Bangkok eased employment curbs last year, an approach ​that offers a regional example, states the U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees. The ‌step came in response to the slash in global humanitarian funding, in part as U.S. President Donald Trump slashed foreign aid and Thailand battled growing labour shortages.

Thailand allowed about 80,000 refugees from Burma to work legally, in a policy ​change significant for a population that has lived for decades dependent ⁠on humanitarian aid in nine camps along the border. Raouf Mazou, the UNHCR assistant ​high commissioner for operations, said Thailand’s efforts could become a model for other countries ​in Asia grappling with the problem of protracted displacement.

The approach could offer lessons for countries such as Bangladesh and Malaysia that host large refugee populations, showing how they can contribute to ​the economy while remaining under legal protections and government oversight. “If it works here, ​it will have an impact on the region,” Mazou told Reuters. “Self-reliance prepares ​people to be part of the country they’re from,” he added. Read more

News by Region

ARAKAN—The regime’s state authorities sealed off the home of aid worker, writer, and former political prisoner Wai Hun Aung in the capital Sittwe on Monday. His current whereabouts remain unknown. Wai Hun Aung has been a vital source of information on the ground in Arakan.

Using his social media channels and communicating with local and international media, he has consistently documented military attacks on territory controlled by the Arakan Army (AA) since it launched an offensive on Nov. 13, 2023. It has seized control of 14 of 17 townships. Read more

SAGAING—Two bodies were recovered in Chaung-U Township’s Ngalonetin village following fighting between regime forces and the People’s Defense Force (PDF) on Wednesday. Chaung-U, located 16 miles (25 km) south of the region’s capital Monywa, is partially controlled by the PDF.

Regime media reported that the two bodies belonged to the PDF, which were accused of hiding in civilian buildings and extorting motorists on the Chaung-U-Monywa road. The PDF in Chaung-U has not yet responded to these specific accusations against them made by the regime.

YANGON—Regime regional Minister for Electricity, Energy and Transport Myo Thaw stated that new fuel control measures imposed on March 7 will not be abolished. Even-numbered plates are allowed to drive on even dates, and ​odd-numbered plates on odd dates to save fuel.

Thein Naing, a regional lawmaker, claimed that the scheme makes lives “difficult.” A resident told DVB that some motorists are not following the new measures, claiming to have witnessed drivers pay bribes to traffic police to avoid the penalty of one month in prison and a fine of 20,000 MMK ($4.76 USD).