18/06/2026
No one is safe until everyone is safe!
The story of Mae Tao Clinic (MTC) began with displacement. In 1989, Dr. Cynthia Maung founded MTC after fleeing Myanmar following the 1988 military uprising. Having experienced displacement herself, she understood the uncertainty, loss, and challenges faced by people forced to leave their homes.
As of 2026, many MTC staff still share similar experiences like Dr Cynthia and people experienced back in 1989. Like the 3.7 million people displaced within Myanmar and countless others who have sought refuge across borders, they have lived through conflict, displacement, and the struggle to rebuild their lives. Families continue to flee violence in search of safety, healthcare, and hope for a better future.
The World Refugee Day 2026 theme, "Until Everyone Is Safe," reminds us that safety is more than escaping conflict. While crossing a border may provide physical protection, the trauma of war and the uncertainty of living in a foreign country, often without legal documentation, can continue long after displacement. Airstrikes, the loss of loved ones, the destruction of homes, and fears of arrest, exploitation, or an uncertain future leave lasting emotional scars that cannot simply be left behind.
For more than three decades, MTC has stood alongside displaced and conflict-affected communities, providing not only healthcare but also mental health counselling and psychosocial support. Through community services and Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS) training for staff, MTC works to help individuals heal, recover, and rebuild their lives with dignity.
On this World Refugee Day, we honour the resilience and strength of refugees, migrants, displaced people, and the entire MTC community. Together, let us continue working toward a future where everyone can live in safety, dignity, and peace.
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