01
.jpg)
Irregular Migration in Southeast AsiaContemporary Barriers to Regularization and Healthcare
This book investigates the complex factors that drive migration, barriers to regular channel migration and regularization, and difficulties in accessing healthcare services in Southeast Asia. Taking Myanmar’s irregular migrant workers in Thailand as a case study, it seeks to provide a deeper understanding of the complex factors that drive migration in Southeast Asia by exploring economic, political, and social push factors. It then moves to examine the multifaceted barriers that hinder regular channel migration to Thailand, including financial hardship, lengthy procedures, multifaceted difficulties in obtaining passports and paperwork, the influence of social networks and informal brokers, government official corruption, and exploitation by agencies targeting prospective migrant workers. It sets itself above the existing literature by adopting a comprehensive and interdisciplinary approach, combining rigorous research, qualitative and quantitative data analysis, and firsthand accounts of both migrant workers themselves and numerous other stakeholders throughout the process. This socio-ecological perspective allows for a nuanced understanding of the challenges faced by migrant workers to be developed and to inform practical recommendations for policymakers, researchers, and advocates. As such, it offers a vital resource for researchers, policymakers, NGO workers, and advocates striving to create a more equitable society, and with interests in migration, Southeast Asia, healthcare, and social policy.
02
Japan’s Humanitarian Aid Toward Myanmar After the 2021 Coup: Exploring Four Channels Amid the Weaponization of Assistance
This book delves into Japan's humanitarian aid efforts in Myanmar following the military coup of February 2021. As Myanmar faces political upheaval and growing humanitarian challenges, Japan's response has been notable, yet intricate, maneuvering through obstacles created by the Myanmar military's weaponization of aid. Utilizing document analysis, semi-structured interviews, and fieldwork conducted at the Myanmar-Thailand border, this book explores four key channels through which Japan delivers humanitarian assistance: UN organizations, Myanmar-based NGOs, Thailand-based NGOs, and Bangladesh-based NGOs. Each channel is examined in detail, highlighting the strategies employed, obstacles faced, and the impact of Japan’s contributions on the ground. This study illuminates the precarious equilibrium between delivering crucial aid and addressing the political circumstances that hinder humanitarian endeavors. It also prompts important discussions about the morality of providing assistance in conflict-ridden areas and the responsibilities of donor nations in upholding their human rights. This book is ideal for academics, decision-makers, and humanitarian professionals, and not only enlightens readers about Japan's distinctive position in Myanmar, but also contributes to wider debates on international aid dynamics in politically fraught environments.
