Myanmar Refugee Crisis Timeline (Draft)

By abcdefg2024
  • The Universal Declaration of Human Rights is created

    The Universal Declaration of Human Rights is created

    This landmark document enshrines the rights that everyone is entitled to as a human being - regardless of race, color, religion, sex, language, political or other opinion, national or social origin, property, birth or other status.”
  • IOM Organization established

    IOM Organization established

    IOM was started in 1951 and is part of the United Nations. IOM Unmigration is an organization that collects donations and raises awareness to help immigrants worldwide. It has also helped the people of Myanmar.

  • Myanmar launches Operation Naga Min in Rakhine state.

    Rohingya ethnic minority is declared "illegal" and stripped of their citizenship, setting off a cycle of forced displacement.

  • The first major influx of refugees from Myanmar

    The first major influx of refugees from Myanmar occurs when the Burma/Myanmar Army launches an offensive against the Karen National Union (KNU), resulting in approximately 9,000 refugees fleeing into Thailand.

  • TBC beings its support for Myanmar refugees entering thailand

    TBC is an organization that is the main provider of food, cooking fuel, shelter and many other forms of support to more than 86,000 refugees from Burma/Myanmar in nine camps in Thailand.TBC traces its support to the refugees since late 1984, early 1985 when the first recorded large influx of mainly Karen/Kayin people crossed the border line.

  • Number of refugees in Thai camps increases.

    The number of refugees in Thai camps reaches about 80,000.

  • The fall of Manerplaw

    In January the Myanmar army overran Mnerplaw and more KNU bases were lost soon after. That year too Khun Sa, a leader of the Shan resistance, made a deal with SLORC which effectively allowed the Burma/Myanmar Army access to the border opposite Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai provinces in Thailand. In that year, the number of refugees from Burma/Myanmar in camps in Thailand increased to 115,000.

  • More refugees flee to Thailand and other asian countries such as Malaysia and Indonesia.

    The refugee population in Thailand peaks at around 150,000, with many refugees resettled to third countries under international programs.

  • Myanmar begins a political transition towards quasi-civilian rule, leading to hopes for peace and potential refugee returns.

    The transition away from full military rule started in 2011, giving hope for democratic reform. Still, the military maintained control over much of the government and began a campaign of ethnic cleansing against the Rohingya.

  • A military coup in Myanmar leads to an influx of refugees

    A military coup in Myanmar leads to renewed violence and instability, causing an influx of refugees into Thailand. By late 2023, at least 45,000 additional refugees have fled to Thailand since the coup.

  • The Thai military begins forcibly returning recent refugees to Myanmar.

    In late October 2023, the Thai military began forcibly returning refugees who had been sheltering in border areas to Myanmar’s Karenni State. Many soon returned to Thailand, fearful of being trapped or targeted in renewed clashes in southeastern Myanmar.

  • The 76th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR).

    This remains one of the world's most groundbreaking global pledges but there are still countless issues such as the maltreatment of migrants that we need to solve.