This World Refugee Day, the IRC honored refugee changemakers, highlighting the remarkable – and everyday – ways that refugees influence art, food, ideas, policy and culture. The IRC in Silver Spring spoke with Su, a 14-year-old refugee from Myanmar resettled by the IRC, about her commitment to advocating for human rights in her home country.  

Last December, Su demonstrated with the Women for Myanmar, DC Metro Area, a community organization raising awareness locally of the conflict in Myanmar, to speak up against the violent atrocities committed in Myanmar against women and children. The group hosted a demonstration as part of the 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence hosted by UN Women. 

Since a coup in February 2021, the military has forcibly taken control of Myanmar’s government. In the two years since, the junta has driven Myanmar into a humanitarian catastrophe, causing indiscriminate attacks on civilians, including torture and violence against women and children. 

Locally, the IRC in Silver Spring supported Su and her family as they transitioned to life in the U.S., providing them with medical support, including referrals to specialists and attending medical appointments; support in finding housing, including attending apartment tours and liaising with leasing staff; and referrals to legal service providers.  

Globally, the IRC has been active in Myanmar since 2008, providing humanitarian relief in response to Cyclone Nargis. With additional devastation resulting from Cyclone Mocha in past months, more than 30% of Myanmar’s population is in dire need of humanitarian aid. Coupled with the conflict from the military government, ethnic armed groups and stalled economic growth, civilians in Myanmar faced disrupted livelihoods, driving almost half the population into poverty.