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Episode 3: Healing in Exile - Voices from Myanmar's Refugees and the Role of Mental Health
The Rohingya crisis is one of our time's most pressing humanitarian issues. Following decades of systemic discrimination and violence in Myanmar, the Rohingya people were forced to flee their homes en masse in 2017. This brutal campaign led to the displacement of hundreds of thousands of Rohingyas, who sought refuge in Bangladesh's overcrowded and under-resourced camps. The trauma and hardship faced by these refugees continue to this day as they live in limbo, deprived of basic rights and opportunities.
In this third episode of Earth Matters, titled "Healing in Exile - Voices from Myanmar's Refugees and the Role of Mental Health Support," we discuss the psychological toll of conflict and displacement, focusing on the Rohingya experience in Myanmar and Bangladesh. We are joined by two remarkable guests:
Diana Seng Hkawn is a counsellor, educator, and peacebuilder. Diana has extensive experience in trauma healing and peacebuilding interventions rooted in indigenous practices, including those from her own Jinghpaw culture in Myanmar.
Maung Hla Myint is a Rohingya refugee, human rights activist, and youth leader. Forced to flee Myanmar in 2017, Maung now resides in a refugee camp in Cox's Bazar, Bangladesh. He is the founder of the Rohingya Aid & Empowerment Network (RAEN) and is actively involved in advocating for the rights of the Rohingya people.
This episode highlights the mental health challenges faced by those living in conflict zones, drawing connections between the situations in Myanmar and other global conflict areas. We also spotlight Maung's inspiring activism and encourage companies to consider providing remote work opportunities to refugees, helping them rebuild their lives and integrate into society.
In this third episode of Earth Matters, titled "Healing in Exile - Voices from Myanmar's Refugees and the Role of Mental Health Support," we discuss the psychological toll of conflict and displacement, focusing on the Rohingya experience in Myanmar and Bangladesh. We are joined by two remarkable guests:
Diana Seng Hkawn is a counsellor, educator, and peacebuilder. Diana has extensive experience in trauma healing and peacebuilding interventions rooted in indigenous practices, including those from her own Jinghpaw culture in Myanmar.
Maung Hla Myint is a Rohingya refugee, human rights activist, and youth leader. Forced to flee Myanmar in 2017, Maung now resides in a refugee camp in Cox's Bazar, Bangladesh. He is the founder of the Rohingya Aid & Empowerment Network (RAEN) and is actively involved in advocating for the rights of the Rohingya people.
This episode highlights the mental health challenges faced by those living in conflict zones, drawing connections between the situations in Myanmar and other global conflict areas. We also spotlight Maung's inspiring activism and encourage companies to consider providing remote work opportunities to refugees, helping them rebuild their lives and integrate into society.
Earth Matters - Episode 2. A Journey of Impact: Leadership Insights from a Humanitarian: Thomas Hill
In this second episode, we explore pivotal topics with our special guest, Thomas Hill, the Country Director for the Norwegian Refugee Council in Nigeria. With over 24 years of experience in humanitarian work, Thomas addresses thought-provoking questions on accountability, humility, elitism, bureaucracy, fair hiring practices and human rights activism vs humanitarianism in times of conflict. Towards the end, we briefly discuss the colonial legacy and power imbalances within the field, setting the stage for a future episode dedicated to this significant topic.
Thomas shares his most memorable experiences in humanitarian work and reflects on his leadership approach and the lessons learned over his career.
Thomas shares his most memorable experiences in humanitarian work and reflects on his leadership approach and the lessons learned over his career.
Earth Matters - Kenya Flooding Discussion
What happens when societies and their governments are disconnected? In May, Kenya experienced heavy rains and flash floods that killed at least 228 people, left 72 others missing, and displaced more than 212,000. The affected areas include Nairobi, the Maasai Mara Wildlife Reserve, and 42 of Kenya's 47 counties.
In this first episode, we address Kenya's recent flood crisis. The gravity of the situation cannot be overstated: hundreds of thousands are now displaced, with a significant portion residing in informal settlements such as Mukuru, one of Kenya's largest slums. It's staggering to note that 70% of Kenya's population grapples with similar precarious living conditions.
Humanitarian issues like this affect us all, and it's imperative that we do not ignore them.
We encourage everyone to spread this professional insight to raise awareness and garner support for Kenya's displaced communities. Your individual and collective action can make a difference in this critical moment by pooling our resources and expertise to provide aid and relief to those facing this immense challenge.
In this first episode, we address Kenya's recent flood crisis. The gravity of the situation cannot be overstated: hundreds of thousands are now displaced, with a significant portion residing in informal settlements such as Mukuru, one of Kenya's largest slums. It's staggering to note that 70% of Kenya's population grapples with similar precarious living conditions.
Humanitarian issues like this affect us all, and it's imperative that we do not ignore them.
We encourage everyone to spread this professional insight to raise awareness and garner support for Kenya's displaced communities. Your individual and collective action can make a difference in this critical moment by pooling our resources and expertise to provide aid and relief to those facing this immense challenge.
Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in each interview are those of the individual participants and do not necessarily reflect the views of other interviewees, the interviewer, or the publishing platform. Each participant, including the interviewer, is solely responsible for their own statements and opinions.
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