The basic needs of its people have been neglected as evidenced by:

• The World Health Organization ranks Burma as having the world's second-worse healthcare system.
• In Eastern Burma conflict zones, 1 in 5 children die before their 5th birthday.
• According to the United Nations, 1 in 3 children in Burma today are malnourished.
• Government expenditure on health per person in Burma is the lowest in the world while over 50% of the country's budget is devoted to a military of 400,000 many who are child soldiers.
• An estimated 40% of Burma's rural population has no access to clean water or adequate sanitation facilities.
• 1 in 12 women die from complications of giving birth.
• According to the Index of Economic Freedom, Burma ranks 153 out of 157 countries in terms of economic freedom. Burma ranks 29th out of 30 countries in the Asia-Pacific region, beating only North Korea.
• Repressive economic policies imposed by the military junta, such as forcing farmers to sell rice to the government at below market prices and restricting movement and trade, have directly contributed to an estimated 5 million people lacking sufficient food, according to the World Food Program.
• Burma's child mortality rates are among the worst in Asia.

The Burma Connection, a 501 (c) (3) organization has a deep love and respect for the people of Burma as well as experience in operating with the country. It is our desire to use the best of our knowledge and skills to help bring about positive change in the lives of the people of Burma both here and abroad.