Myanmar had a military coup on 1st Feb 2021 and a nationwide Civil Disobedience Movement (CDM) has ignited with millions on the streets in protest.
If you want to support Humanitarian needs or the resistance the movement through a trusted channel then please click donate now. (Scroll to the bottom to see our Australian charity registration.)
Use of funds
The main use is to help support the lower paid government staff who are boycotting work under the military. It could also be used to support free medical for those protesting or any number of other things. We'll report back on what it does get used for.
Prioritisation: We aim to prioritise key ministries and departments (who are most strategically important to the Junta in terms of generating revenue or giving governance capacity) whenever possible. We also assist with the humanitarian response like with Mindat town, IDPs, Medical emergencies etc.
Background
After a landslide win (~85%) in November by the NLD government the military arrested ASSK and the president (unconstitutionally) and a number of political leaders plus an Australian professor (Sean Turnell) who advises ASSK on the economy.
The people have responded with an overwhelming rejection of the coup. There were mass protests and a national Civil Disobedience Movement encouraging all civil servants to boycott work under the military.
Initially feed was full of hundreds of thousands of people on the streets and a campaign of banging pots each night to drive our the evil.
This video really captures the Gen Z angle on this: https://fb.watch/3UHTa2moPB/
Unfortunately we also see horrific and gruesome images at times from the police and military use of brutal and deadly force. Over 800 people have been killed and over 4,000 arrested.
The protests were great for solidarity, for motivation and to show numbers, but with the brutality of the crack downs and indiscriminate killing the mass protests gave largely stopped. In part this has led to violent resistance from people who feel they have no other option left.
However, I regularly talk to people working on innovative and smart civil disobedience who are working on non violent ways to win.
Non-Violent Civil Disobedience (NVCD)
Basically the research shows that NVCD has succeeded everytime that they have engaged 3.5% of the population or more in active participation in a sustained campaign that follows Non Violent Civil Disobedience. The number of people that have actively supported the revolution in Myanmar greatly exceed this, so it may just be a matter of sustaining that support.
For anyone new to it you can look up Gene Sharp and Erica Chennoweth for academic work showing how effective it is, how it works, why it is effective and how to do it.
Brief Ted Talk by Erica Chennoweth re how the data shows NVCD works best:
https://youtu.be/YJSehRlU34w
Long version from 2020:
Article on success factors: http://politicalviolenceataglance.org/2016/11/15/how-can-we-know-when-popular-movements-are-winning-look-to-these-four-trends/
Fundraiser
I'm set this fundraiser up mostly for foreigners who want to contribute monthly to have a trusted channel but everyone is welcome.
I will ensure that 100% of donations (minus whatever the donation platform keeps and transfer / exchange fees) go to local organisers who will decide how best to use it locally. If i've learned anything in this work it's that local people usually know what needs to be done and how to do it. Research also is clear that cash donations in emergencies are much more effective than other options (this includes research on past Emergencies in Myanmar like Cyclone Nargis).
Who am I?
My name is David Bacon. I'm in my early 40s and I'm an Aid and Development Professional.
I lived and worked in Myanmar for most of 2015 - 2018 and I have a deep and abiding love the the people and the country. I have been studying Burmese at University since i returned with the intention to become a Myanmar specialist. My work there was running a $2+M AUD DFAT funded health systems project.
I also have had my own registered charity in Australia for over 12 years (previously focused on Cambodia and Australia). I also happen to have done some study, training and practice of Non Violent Civil Disobedience in a different context.
Implementation
My contacts on the ground are experienced professionals with extensive networks and they have set up a sophisticated transfer and distribution system. I'd trust my main contact with my life and the lives of my children and they are trusting me with theirs.
Since late May I have also employed a local project officer in Myanmar (part-time) to assist with much of the administration as it it a huge amount of work that can't be sustained on a voluntary basis.
Donations
All donations will go to Empowering Communities ANZ Bank account in Australia and then be transferred to Myanmar via trusted people.
Here is our Australian Charity Registration:
https://www.acnc.gov.au/charity/842e4ec1a56b5476b408ad93b5c81420
Twitter: @davidnbacon
https://www.facebook.com/davidnbacon
https://www.facebook.com/EmpoweringCommunitiesInc
