A doctor from Myanmar has won this year's Sydney Peace Prize for her work on the Thai-Burmese border.
Dr Cynthia Maung, an ethnic Karen, fled Myanmar during the pro-democracy uprising in 1988.
Arriving in Thailand, Dr Maung set up the Mae Tao Clinic in Mae Sot to provide medical care to thousands of displaced people.
Dr Maung used a rice cooker to sterilise equipment and instruments. Today her clinic has more than 600 health workers treating around 150,000 people, including refugees, migrant workers and orphans.
Dr Cynthia Maung, who is in Australia to receive the Sydney Peace Prize, told Radio Australia's Asia Pacific that while access to health services has improved for refugees, many challenges remain.
"So even with the democratic reform and political change in Burma...until now, we haven't seen much changes for these vulnerable people," she said.
"There has been ongoing ceasefire talks, but on the ground, the actual situation people are still suffering (and have no access) to health services.
"What we would like to see is our health workers - who've been working on the border for many years - to return to work in their community peacefully.. to continue to provide service to their home community, as well as improve participation of the community organisations, developing the health system and health policy in Burma."
Dr Maung says the award will help to highlight the plight of refugees displaced by not just conflicts, but also economic development in Myanmar.
"There's more opening up on the economic and investment front, but we need to see more responsible investment in Burma, because many farmers' land have been confiscated and also more military posts around the village, so insecurity and uncertainty still exist," she said.
In announcing the receipt of its award, the Sydney Peace Foundation said Dr Maung has "advanced the cause of peace in the Asia-Pacific region and upheld the best humanitarian and ethical traditions of the medical profession."
The organisation was founded in 1998 to promote public discussion about peace, justice and human rights issues.
Dr Maung will deliver the Sydney Peace Prize lecture at the Sydney Town Hall on Wednesday.
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