Free Burma Rangers

To bring help, hope and love to people of all faiths and ethnicities in the conflict areas, to shine a light on the actions of oppressors, to stand with the oppressed and support leaders and organizations committed to liberty, justice and service.

— FreeBurmaRangers.org[1]

FBR was formed in the late 1990s following an escalation of Burmese military activity against the Karen people. Villages were destroyed, people killed and more than 100,000 people forced from their homes[1] in a program of violence which was designed to remove people from land in order to make way for developing business interests.[2]

The history, character and on-going activity of the Rangers is closely linked to its American founder, Tha-U-Wah-A-Pah (the assumed Karen pseudonym, henceforth TUWAP of Dave Eubank): a Fuller Theological Seminary-educated Pastor and ex-member of the U.S. Special Forces. Having already spent a number of years as a missionary in Burma, in 1996, following a chance meeting with Aung San Suu Kyi, the leader of the National League for Democracy, TUWAP was inspired to initiate a ‘Global Day of Prayer’ and help to strengthen unity between the majority Burman population and the various minority ethnic groups.[3] TUWAP was then in Burma during the Army Offensives of 1997, distributing medicine to those displaced by the conflict, and it was during this time that he decided to employ his broad mixture of skills to bring a unique brand of humanitarian relief to a greater number.

In the words of the FBR leader, “[The situation in Burma] is a slow, creeping cancer, in which the regime is working to dominate, control, and radically assimilate all the ethnic peoples of the country.”[4]

In January 2013 footage obtained by the Free Burma Rangers and released to the world's media was instrumental in stopping continued Burmese military offensives against the Kachin Independence Army in the north of Myanmar.[5]

At least one FBR team was present at the liberation of Mosul, Iraq, in 2017.[6]

Every year about 15 multi-ethnic teams, including representatives from the Karen, Karenni, Shan, Arakan, Kachin and other ethnic groups complete the intensive Ranger training. The training program is delivered with the help of other specialist organisations, including the Mae Tao Clinic and covers a diverse and comprehensive mix of practical relief, survival skills and socio-political awareness, including:

• ethnic issues
• ethics
• conflict resolution
• public health
• first aid
• advanced medical and basic dental care
• human rights interviewing and documentation
• reporting
• counselling

Break down of full-time relief teams by ethnic origin

Overview of FBR relief operations since 1997

Total teams trained: 300

Relief missions conducted: over 1,000

Patients treated: over 550,000

People helped: over 1,500,000[7]

FBR teams operate in conflict zones other than Burma, such as the conflict involving ISIS in Syria and Iraq.[8]

The film Rambo 4 was released worldwide in early 2008, with Sylvester Stallone continuing his role as the eponymous hero. In it, a fictionalised Burmese military played the role of the 'evil oppressors' and, although the film didn't make it to Burmese cinema screens, it became a huge underground success amongst the Burmese population.[9] Research for the movie was obtained, in large part, from FBR field reports.[10]

While there is a dearth of information about the atrocities taking place inside Burmese borders, the evidence which groups like FBR make available helps to build a case for the international community to take action against the regime.

• Mizara, S. 'Free Burma Rangers'. Stefania Mizara | photographer, photojournalist
• Samuels, L., 2007.'Burma's other Struggle'. Newsweek, 5 October Burma Missionaries Fight for Ethnic Minorities
• YouTube: free burma rangers - YouTube. NB. Please be warned that some of the films contain disturbing images.

• Burma Campaign UK

• Free Burma Rangers
• Mae Tao Clinic
• Partners Relief and Development