Partners Asia

09/21/2026

In development, it has long been common for donors to send international resource persons into communities to increase local groups’ capacity in or knowledge of a certain area. This can reinforce the idea that valuable skills and information only come from “outside,” or from foreign “experts.” It’s time that this practice was challenged and changed, and more resources dedicated to amplifying the wisdom we see on the ground every day. That’s why we are seeing our own role as a donor evolve—and why we feel strongly about facilitating opportunities for our partners to share their expertise and experiences with one another.

Partners Asia recently supported a six-day in-person exchange between several local partners from northern and southern Thailand to discuss issues faced by migrant worker communities nationwide. Our partners described it as “eye opening,” and discussed challenges around documentation, geographic isolation, language barriers, and schooling for migrant children. Being together, they said, helped them to better understand the different realities across the country, as well as share their own best practices for supporting those who rely on them for guidance.

We hope that this gathering will be the foundation of a trusted peer-supported network, so that our partners continue to develop their own model for dialogue and advocacy that is responsive to and grown from the communities they serve.

09/11/2026

Regardless of your age or nationality, if you are looking for critical, reflective reading on what it means to dedicate one's life to their principles, we recommend veteran advocate Khin Ohmar's ongoing series for DVB, "Letters to A Young Activist." She describes these pieces as grounded in her personal experiences and history, following events that define Burma's long struggle for federal democracy. We are proud that Khin Ohmar is a Board member with Partners Asia and are grateful for her wisdom earned through decades advocating for a free Burma. Three of her letters have been published so far, offered "in the spirit of solidarity, sharing, and most importantly, hope."

🔗 Links are in the comments below. ⤵

09/02/2026

Several people have reached out to us this past week asking about the devastating floods in Nepal, whether our partners are safe, and how you might help. While Partners Asia does not currently have partners in Nepal, this is a part of the world that is close to many of us and the scale of the destruction is heartbreaking.

On August 26, flash floods swept through Himalayan communities along the Nepal-China border and river corridors in the central part of the country, destroying homes and infrastructure. At the time of this post, the death toll had surpassed 1,000, with over 3,900 people still missing.

If you are unsure of where to direct your support, we would like to recommend Nepal Rising (Daayitwa US), which was formed in the aftermath of the 2015 earthquake and has continued working to help communities recover from disasters. It is a volunteer-run initiative administered by Daayitwa US, a U.S.-registered 501(c)(3), and works through local and global partnerships with a strong connection to Nepal and the Nepali diaspora. They have already launched an emergency response, and will "collaborate with grassroots organizations working on the ground and coordinate with local government agencies to support communities most in need." Their approach is centered on three things: relief for today, rebuilding for tomorrow, and resilience for the future.

While Nepal is outside our own grantmaking footprint and Nepal Rising is not a Partners Asia partner, based on what we have learned about their history, local connections and approach, we feel comfortable pointing you in their direction.

🔗 We have linked to their fundraiser in our bio. 🙏

Thank you for your solidarity. Your generosity matters tremendously.

📷 Photo Credit: Nepal Rising / Facebook

08/31/2026

Applications open today for BEAM's online learning program, designed to make high school education accessible in new ways to teenagers from Burma and on the Thai border. Millions of youth have been forced to drop out of school in the 5+ years since the country's military coup due to war, displacement, economic struggles, and objections to participating in a junta-run education system. Programs like this one are among the many initiatives evolving to meet the diverse needs of the country's young people, and to ensure they are not left behind.

The BEAM (Bridging Educational Access to Marginalized People) Education Foundation was established to

08/18/2026

Important read by Nai Aue Mon of the Human Rights Foundation of Monland on the dangers posed by the United States' ending of Temporary Protected Status for 4,000 people from Burma.

"For anyone forced to return, the danger is not speculative. It is documented every day. As Program Director of the Human Rights Foundation of Monland (HURFOM), a local organization working for the restoration of democracy, human rights and genuine peace in Burma, I have seen firsthand the devastation of the crisis across Burma.

Our fieldworkers receive and verify information from survivors, witnesses, village residents and displaced communities across southeastern Burma. They work through armed conflict, surveillance, internet shutdowns and serious risks to their own safety.

What they report is not a country becoming safe. It is a country where civilians are still being killed in their villages, young people are being seized for military service, and families are fleeing repeated attacks with little protection."

Ending Temporary Protected Status for nearly 4,000 Burma nationals would expose people to the armed conflict, arbitrary detention, surveillance and conscription that the U.S. government itself has documented. Guest contributor Nai Aue Mon On August 7, two federal judges cleared the way for the Trump...

04/29/2026

We've connected with more than 20 partners in person so far this year. Travel in the region can be challenging due to the long distances that separate groups and limited transportation infrastructure in remote areas. But at a time when it is tempting to just hold meetings online, being on the ground (where possible) helps deepen our relationships, as well as provide an up-to-date firsthand understanding of the context our partners work in, as well as identify priorities for future support. This most recent round of visits reinforced our support for collaboration among the groups in our network, and to create more space for the organizations we support to share experiences, challenges, and best practices. ❤️

04/13/2026

Across Burma, Thailand, Laos, and Cambodia this week, people are commemorating the New Year and annual water festival. For those who are able to celebrate with family and friends, we share in that joy. For those who cannot—especially those in Burma who are forced to mark yet another Thingyan amid the junta's ongoing war—may the year ahead at last bring the safety, justice, and peace that all people deserve. What we do know is that our partners throughout the region will continue their work in the communities they know best, and we will continue to stand beside them. Thank you to all who are with us, and most importantly, with them.

03/27/2026

If you haven't seen it yet, please take a look at our 2025 Impact Report (👆link in bio). With your help, we distributed $5 million in flexible funding to more than 100 grassroots organizations and local leaders in Southeast Asia last year. At more than $1.5 million, our biggest area of support was emergency response, prioritizing the needs of communities affected by war and natural disasters, including the devastating earthquake in Burma that struck nearly one year ago today.

Read through for powerful stories of alliance building and humanitarian response—all headed by communities on the ground. As we say at the start of the report, "our role is not, and never has been, to be at the center of the story, but to help make space, to connect, to resource, and to walk alongside." It is how we worked throughout the crises that marked 2025, and how we will continue, standing by our partners as they build the better future they deserve.