Stronghold teams battle the elements during rainy season in Burma

Please Note: These newsletters may contain written descriptions or images of the violence, disease, and injuries our teams confront on a regular basis. Please read at your own discretion. Graphic images will be covered with a warning sign.

Heavy rain endangers patients

Imagine a patient dealing with a painful condition — anything from a bullet wound to appendicitis. The nearest medical clinic is several miles away on foot.

In addition to the hills and valleys typical of Burma’s landscape, this patient must navigate through thick mud. They must also inch across wobbling rope bridges over raging flood waters.

This is what Stronghold's medical evacuation teams have been experiencing the past few months.

Burma has a tropical monsoon climate. This means it is prone to heavy rain for more than half of the year. During the rainy season of May to October, the flooded rivers become virtually impassable.

Karen patients in Burma face enough adversity from the Burma Army’s constant, brutal violence. The unrelenting weather patterns in Burma compounds the need for a swift and agile medical evacuation team.

Stronghold's ambulance crew assists a woman across a makeshift bamboo bridge in Burma.

The Karen people risk their lives crossing these raging rivers. If there’s a traumatic injury or a painful condition a patient is dealing with, this already strenuous trek to a clinic becomes an excruciating task that could end in death.

Following our “Charity With Dignity” model, the Stronghold team equips the ambulance crew in Burma to care for patients, regardless of the elements they face.

The aid we provide to Burma and beyond is all possible because of our generous supporters.

Right now, you are helping us save lives and support those who face oppression and violence every day.

Thank you.

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