Making a Better Life for Buffalo’s Burmese Community
Our Mission is to assist refugees and immigrants with issues they are facing, including but not limited to language barriers and cultural adjustments, and to provide assistance with services and resources.
BCS also strives to promote an understanding of
American culture, law and the legal system.
Our Vision is to share knowledge and build a stronger community.
BCS is dedicated to improving the overall wellbeing of Burmese refugees and immigrants in Buffalo by providing the necessary services to thrive in their communities, free of charge.
Decades of political turmoil in Burma (Myanmar) has led many Burmese people to flee their home country and resettle in the U.S., experiencing the massive trauma and displacement of leaving as they seek to better and build back their lives. An estimated 10,000 Burmese refugees are currently part of the Buffalo community, a large part of Buffalo’s revitalization and growing population.
Resettlement is a long process and very complicated. People arrive in the U.S. and immediately experience changes in language, culture, climate and their lifestyles. Many also face a lack of knowledge of the U.S. legal system and laws, especially due to language difficulties.
The Growing Burmese Refugee & Immigrant Population in Buffalo
An overview of findings from the Burmese Community Behavioral Health Survey Final Report (2016) published by University at Buffalo’s Immigrant and Refugee Research Institute:
Buffalo is home to an estimated 8,000 - 10,000 refugees from Burma. Around 71 percent of those refugees spent at least one year in a refugee camp - and some for over 20 years - before resettling in the U.S.
Average household incomes are reportedly below the poverty guidelines, with 80% of households earning less than $2,000 a month.
Fifty percent of survey participants reported “enough trauma-related symptoms (based on RHS-15) that warrant specialized mental health referrals.”
Forty-three percent reported “both anxiety and depression symptoms (based on HSCL) that warrant further mental health evaluation.”
One in five were not at all or very not satisfied with the medical care they’d received in the past 12 months.
About Burma (Myanmar)
Burma is located in SE Asia, with bordering countries of Thailand, Laos, China, India and Bangladesh.
Burma is a majority Burmese language speaking country. Burma has 135 ethnic groups; eight major ethnic groups are officially recognized as Bamar, Mon, Rakhine (Arakan), Shan, Kachin, Chin, Karen, Karnni (Kayah).
How many States and Divisions in Burma?
Burma is a Union of 7 States and 7 Divisions - all are equal.
How Many Ethnic Groups and Different Languages in Burma?
Burma has 135 ethnic groups with their own languages and dialects. Eight major ethnic groups are officially recognized as:
1. Bamar has 9 ethnic groups
2. Shan has 33 ethnic groups
3. Mon has 1 ethnic group
4. Rakhine/Arakan has 7 ethnic groups
5. Chin has 53 ethnic groups
6. Kachin has 12 ethnic groups
7. Kayah/Karnni has 9 ethnic groups
8. Karen/Kayin has 11 ethnic groups
Who are Burmese Refugees and What Nationality?
All ethnic groups, all religious groups and beliefs, and all people from Burma are Burmese nationality.
Burma or Myanmar?
Burma became independent from the U.K., as the “Union of Burma”, on January 4, 1948. First, a Coup took place on March 2, 1962 and a second Coup took place on September 18, 1988. After a Coup took place the military government was named the “State Peace and Development Council” (SPDC). Since 1989 (by the ruling military government) Burma has been recognized by the U.N. as Myanmar.
Some national governments, such as Canada, United States, the United Kingdom and most of the Burmese people do not recognize this name change from Burma to Myanmar; they do not recognize the military government.
What is the background of Burmese refugees?
Thousands of people died in August 1988 during the democratic uprising in Burma (8/8/88). Thousands of people were arrested and many people crossed over to the bordering countries.
In September 2007 Buddhist monks peacefully walked on the street (know as the Saffron Revolution), which resulted in military government crackdown. Many people were arrested and ran over the border into Thailand.
Approximately 140,000 refugees still were living in nine refugee camps in Thailand, plus in Malaysia.
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