The Government of Japan provides grant assistance for shelter protection for Burmese refugees and local Thai villagers

The Government of Japan, under its Grant Assistance for Grassroots Human Security Projects Scheme (GGP), is providing funds amounting to some 3,670,325 baht for the Project entitled “Shelter Protection for Burmese Refugees and Local Thai Villagers”. On February 12, 2013, H.E. Mr. Shigekazu SATO, Ambassador of Japan, and Ms. Sally Thompson, Executive Director of The Border Consortium (TBC), signed the funding contract for the project at the Embassy of Japan.
The Project’s main purpose is to improve the living conditions of Myanmar refugees and provide sustainable livelihood opportunities for both refugees and Thai villagers through community based natural resources management, bamboo cultivation and bamboo treatment.
Due to increasing funding shortages, TBC’s budget for shelter has been cut by 55% since 2008. As TBC is the sole provider of shelter to all nine refugee camps, this cut is having a significant impact on the refugees, resulting in inadequate housing and increasing protection concerns as refugees leave the camps in search of additional shelter materials.
This is resulting in the depletion of local forests, leading to augmenting tension between the refugees and local Thai villagers, who also rely on these resources.
The project details are below:
1) The Community Based Natural Resources Management Project;

• Improve environmental conservation and reforestation around the camps and improve relations between refugees, neighbouring villagers and Thai authorities.
• Improve the understanding of both refugees and Thai villagers regarding ecosystems and links between soil, water and forests as well as how to use and preserve resources.
• Better prepare refugees for a sustainable return to Burma/Myanmar as they develop knowledge and skills in resource management and how to cooperate and coordinate with other communities.

2) The Bamboo and tree growing project
3) The Bamboo treatment project. Improve the quality of shelter materials, making them more durable and thereby reducing the demand for replacement materials in future.
The grant is intended to promote environmental protection, reduce the supply cost of materials, enhance the relationship between Myanmar refugees and Thai villagers, and contribute to a stable society in Myanmar after the refugees go back to their country.
The Government of Japan intends to continue supporting projects which contribute to community development through its Grant Assistance for Human Security Projects scheme (GGP).
For more information about GGP, please contact:
Grant Assistance for Grassroots Human Security Projects
Economic Division, Embassy of Japan
177 Witthayu Road, Lumphini, Pathum Wan, Bangkok 10330
Telephone: 02-207-8500 / 02-696-3000 ext. 514, 558 Facsimile: 02-207-8517