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Steve Sandford

Produced by Steve Sandford

April 29, 2020
For Myanmar's Refugees, Hunger is Bigger Concern Than COVID-19

Access to food, aid and information has become increasingly difficult as travel restrictions and lockdowns increase
April 28, 2020
Myanmar IDP Camps Brace for Coronavirus Outbreak

In Myanmar, an estimated 350,000 internally displaced persons living in crowded and sometimes unsanitary conditions face the danger of a widespread outbreak of COVID-19. Special teams are forming in some of the camps to help provide information and some equipment to prevent a disaster as the country comes to grips with the pandemic. Steve Sandford reports from Thailand.
April 04, 2020
Banning Consumption of Wildlife in Asia Difficult, Despite COVID Pandemic

New studies by the Global Virome Project indicate the world can expect about five new animal-borne pathogens to infect humans each year, creating a sense of urgency to curb the wild animal trade
April 04, 2020
Conservation Groups Fear Wildlife Trade Will Resume as China Lifts Restrictions

Scientists say the coronavirus outbreak likely originated through animal-to-human transmission at a wild animal market in Wuhan
March 22, 2020
Thai Activists Protest New Xayaburi Dam on the Mekong

Since the Xayaburi dan began generating power, the Mekong's water has cleared and river levels have fluctuated
March 21, 2020
Thai Activists Protest New Xayaburi Dam on Mekong River

A series of dams on the transboundary Mekong River has reduced water levels, damaging fisheries and causing other environmental problems for the people who depend on the waterway for their livelihoods and food. Now, as the latest dam, the Lao-owned Xayaburi, begins operations on the Lower Mekong, a Thai activist group is going to court to slow down the sale of electricity to Thai companies. Steve Sandford speaks to those affected.
February 12, 2020
Thais Worry That Not Enough Being Done to Prevent Coronavirus Outbreak

n Thailand, where scientists had predicted a bigger outbreak of the virus, updated information has been sporadic, leaving many Thais - especially broadcasters and other in the media - to wonder if some cases are going undetected, or unreported
January 28, 2020
Thai Tourism Industry on Alert to Stop Spread of Coronavirus

Thailand has announced the 10th case of the coronavirus as government authorities say the outbreak is still under control. Meanwhile, Asian airlines such as Chinese Eastern Airline are still taking passengers home to China's epicenter in Wuhan, despite a ban on outgoing flights from the epicenter. Steve Sandford speaks to Asian tourism workers and government officials about the evolving crisis in southern Thailand in the midst of celebrations of the Chinese New Year.
January 28, 2020
Thai Tourism Industry on Alert to Stop Spread of Coronavirus

Thailand has announced the 10th case of the coronavirus as government authorities say the outbreak is still under control. Meanwhile, Asian airlines such as Chinese Eastern Airline are still taking passengers home to China's epicenter in Wuhan, despite a ban on outgoing flights from the epicenter. Steve Sandford speaks to Asian tourism workers and government officials about the evolving crisis in southern Thailand in the midst of celebrations of the Chinese New Year.
January 26, 2020
Myanmar Military Faces Added International Scrutiny

At least four Myanmar combat helicopters flew into mountainside village of Pain Lone in Shan State during September 13-16 skirmishes that saw at least 15 civilians killed and 30 injuries, according to Shan press reports
January 26, 2020
Myanmar Military Faces Added International Scrutiny

In Myanmar, an escalation in conflict between ethnic armed groups and government forces over the last year has resulted in an increase in civilian casualties amid mounting allegations of war crimes
January 26, 2020
Myanmar Military Faces Added International Scrutiny

In Myanmar, an escalation in conflict between ethnic armed groups and government forces over the last year has resulted in an increase in civilian casualties amid mounting allegations of war crimes. With the recent U.N. court ruling that Myanmar must protect Rohingya Muslims from acts of genocide, other ethnic minorities are coming forward to voice their concerns over past documented atrocities. Steve Sandfor reports from Chiang Mai, Thailand.
December 31, 2019
Rohingya Refugees Face More of Uncertainty

A stalled Rohingya refugee repatriation plan and the start of a judicial process by the West African nation Gambia for genocide charges against Myanmar marked the troubled end of the second year since more than 700,000 Rohingya Muslims fled a brutal Burmese army "clearance operation" in Myanmar's Rakhine State, crossing over to Bangladesh. Steve Sandford has this report for VOA from Bangkok.
December 10, 2019
A Journalist Looks Back as Myanmar's Government Faces Genocide Charges

Years of reporting on military abuses yields scores of atrocities, little accountability
November 13, 2019
Thailand's Toxic Herbicide Ban Could Leave Farmers Unprepared

Ban of three toxic farm chemicals comes amid mixed reactions from workers and lawmakers
November 06, 2019
Drug Addiction Rises in Myanmar's Kachin State

Drug camps, or “shooting galleries,” are openly set up in the mining areas, supplying users with syringes and cheap heroin to inject or inhale
October 30, 2019
Drug Addiction Rises in Myanmar's Kachin State

In Myanmar’s Kachin State, eight years of conflict and displacement has caused some civilians to turn to drugs as authorities struggle to control and rehabilitate heroin and amphetamine addicts, both in the refugee camps and cities across the state
October 16, 2019
Myanmar Conflict Escalates Amid Upsurge of New Recruits

New recruits are joining groups such as the Arakan Army which has set up training camps in Kachin state, home to fellow Northern Alliance member, the Kachin Independence Army (KIA)
October 16, 2019
Myanmar's Arakan Army is Recruiting and Training to Fight Government

Military force formed in 2009 is currently fighting in Rakhine State against government troops in ongoing skirmishes that have escalated in recent months
September 18, 2019
Fighting in Myanmar Leaves Young Women Vulnerable to Trafficking, Forced Marriage

On-going fighting between the Myanmar military and the Kachin Independence Army (KIA) has led to economic hardships resulting from land losses, displacement and family separation. Many young Burmese women seek work in neighboring China, making them more vulnerable to human trafficking and forced marriages. Steve Sandford spoke with local activists and former victims in northern Myanmar about the impact of human trafficking and filed this report.

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