Podcasts religion Heart and Soul The Myanmar mission

The Myanmar mission

Published: Oct. 1, 2021, 4 a.m.

David Eubank, who is originally from Texas, lives in the jungles of the Karen state near the Thai-Myanmar border, along with his wife and children. The Karen people have been fighting the Myanmar military for decades, in the world\u2019s longest civil war.

Since the military coup on 1 February, the Karen Nation Union has sided with a people\u2019s uprising demanding democracy is restored, and has launched attacks on the military. The army has responded with bombings that have displaced tens of thousands of people. David has seen first-hand what has happened.

Hundreds of young protesters have fled to ethnic areas, including into the area David is working in. His group, The Free Burma Rangers, has provided survival and medical training to some of these young people who want to continue fighting to restore democracy. \nHe is also part of an underground railway helping to smuggle out politicians, artists and activists who are on the military\u2019s wanted list. \nDavid takes us on a mission through the jungle to get aid to civilians caught up in the conflict.

(Photo: Sahale walks by a burning shack and opium field on a mission. Credit: Free Burma Rangers)