The European Union, together with UNHCR, the International Rescue Committee consortium, and Expertise France, has signed a new agreement to support Myanmar displaced persons living in temporary shelters across Mae Hong Son, Tak, Kanchanaburi, and Ratchaburi provinces in Thailand, as well as migrants outside shelters in Tak province. The initiative aims to help displaced communities transition towards greater self-reliance and inclusion in Thai society.
The programme comes at a key moment as Thailand advances policies allowing displaced persons to access legal employment and national services. It will support this transition by strengthening healthcare systems, improving child protection services, expanding livelihood opportunities, and enhancing coordination between humanitarian agencies and Thai institutions. The overall approach focuses on moving from long-term humanitarian aid towards more sustainable and locally driven solutions.
EU Ambassador to Thailand H.E. Mrs. Luisa Ragher emphasized that the European Union remains committed to supporting inclusive and sustainable pathways for displaced Myanmar communities. She highlighted that the partnership aims to ensure protection while also enabling self-reliance, dignity, and long-term resilience for refugees as active contributors to society.
Thai government and humanitarian partners also welcomed the increased support. Officials noted that EU funding, raised from €12 million to €15 million for 2026–2028, aligns with Thailand’s shift toward reducing aid dependency and promoting inclusion. UNHCR, the International Rescue Committee, and Expertise France further stressed that the programme will improve access to essential services, healthcare, child protection, and livelihood opportunities, while ensuring vulnerable groups such as children, women, and persons with disabilities receive targeted support.
The initiative includes multiple components: a €10.5 million consortium project led by the International Rescue Committee to improve services and employment readiness across nine shelters, a €2 million Expertise France-led health programme to strengthen healthcare access in Tak province, and a €2.5 million UNHCR-led action focused on child protection and inclusion in national systems. Together, these efforts aim to improve living conditions, expand opportunities, and support a structured transition for displaced communities.
Thailand currently hosts over 80,000 Myanmar displaced persons in long-standing border shelters. With recent policy changes enabling legal employment access, the programme is designed to support a safe, orderly, and inclusive transition toward greater self-reliance, backed by long-term cooperation between the European Union, Thai authorities, UN agencies, and civil society partners.
