Who will this fundraiser help?
This non-government ambulance serves the community by providing urgent care to injured protestors fighting for democracy and other members of the community. They are based in Mandalay, Myanmar.
Ambulance services are not immune to violence during the coup, with well documented cases of assaults to medics by the military, and military purposefully crashing into ambulance vehicles.
Since the coupe, this ambulance team has assisted those with gunshot wounds, injuries, and also other members needing medical care such as expectant mothers and the elderly in their community.
Tell me more about the ambulance service:
The current ambulance team consist of one highly trained first aider, and a small team of volunteers. These people put their lives at risk, in order to provide health care to injured protestors, and those requiring ambulance services in their community.
This is a trusted ambulance service that has been funded by various local donors and has been serving the community for several years. The ambulance team has two vans which were donated by local donors.
Due to difficulty in access to public hospitals, barricades set up by both military and civilians, and the cost associated with private hospitals, providing comprehensive first aid is of utmost importance.
Traditionally, the ambulance focused on fast transport of critical community members to health facilities, however as the coup continues, providing more comprehensive point of care first aid is priority.
A small community clinic providing little to no-out-of pocket expenses to those requiring extended medical care is in the process of being set up by the ambulance organisation. Local volunteer doctors and nurses have already been recruited. This clinic will help provide care in the midst of limited functioning of public hospitals, and high costs associated with private hospitals.
The photo above show volunteer medics and the current state of one of the insides of the ambulance vans.
FAQ
1. Who you are and where you are from?
My name is Audric Co, and I moved to Mandalay from Australia in 2018. I returned to Australia in January 2021. In Mandalay I worked as an English teacher. I am also an occupational therapist and global health student at the University of Sydney.
2. Your relationship to the parties you're raising funds for?
I have a close relationship with with those involved in the ambulance service.
3. Why the anonymity in showing the ambulance organisations name?
The military has been actively targeting ambulance services, and I don’t believe its in their best interest to have their organisation published on a public forum.In the past week, the ambulance leader was arrested then released, and volunteer medics had to go into hiding.
Should you need more information, please feel free to contact me.
4. How will I know the funds go to where they are supposed to?
A bank transfer transaction snapshot will be posted (from Australian to Myanmar bank account) for transparency.
Photos of equipment/medication purchased and other expenses will be shared.
5. What happened to the earlier GoFundMe fundraiser?
My sincere apologies to those who donated to the earlier GoFundMe fundraiser, this was cancelled by the company for breaking their terms of service, however no specific information was given. Full refunds are in process to all those who donated.
